Mark Stoops shares positive update on Kentucky defender Josh Paschal's cancer treatment

At this week’s Lexington Kickoff Luncheon, Mark Stoops had some great news to pass along: Josh Paschal is undergoing his final cancer treatment and will be back on the football field this fall.

The news comes from a WKYT CBS report. Paschal, formerly a defensive end, was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on the bottom of his foot around this time last year, causing him to miss the 2018 season. Now that he’s back at full strength with one remaining immunotherapy treatment in August, Paschal is working on making the move from defensive end to outside linebacker. He is classified as a redshirt sophomore. As a freshman, Paschal recorded 17 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks.

Paschal credited his faith with helping get back to the football field:

OLB Josh Paschal on learning through adversity: “Of course, there has been trials, but I had my faith and my faith has grown tremendously during this time.”

— John Huang (@KYHuangs) August 2, 2019

Great news! We send our best wishes to Josh Paschal, who has shared that next month will be his final treatment for #melanoma. The @UKFootball student athlete was diagnosed last year, and we look forward to seeing Josh back with his team this season. https://t.co/AKKFFFXgG0

— Melanoma Research Foundation (@CureMelanoma) August 2, 2019

Football fans everywhere, Big Blue Nation and otherwise, will be glad to see Paschal back in action.