Mark Stoops made progress in several areas of concern in his first two seasons at Kentucky, but protecting the quarterback was not one of them.

That’s something the Wildcats hope to change in 2015, as Kentucky tries to make the leap to bowl eligibility in Year 3 under Stoops.

Kentucky has allowed an SEC-worst 71 sacks in two seasons under Stoops, while playing an SEC-low 24 games during that period.

Technically, the Wildcats improved from 14th in the league with 37 sacks allowed in 2013 to 13th in the league with 34 sacks allowed in 2014, but that move up the league rankings had more to do with Tennessee’s horrific 43-sack season last year than it did any tangible improvement by the Wildcats line.

But thanks to some wins on the recruiting trail and some development of players in-house, the Wildcats have reason to be optimistic about their chances at being significantly better in the trenches in the near future.

Kentucky returns a very experienced front line with senior tackle Jordan Swindle (24 starts in last two seasons) and senior guard Zach West (three-year starter) expected to anchor the left side of the line. Potential All-SEC center Jon Toth (23 consecutive starts) is manning the middle. Sophomore Ramsey Meyers started all 12 games at right guard last season, and sophomore Kyle Meadows could earn the right tackle spot after being a top reserve last season.

Even though the Wildcats will benefit from the experience that group has accumulated, it may be the depth that they have added behind the starters that proves to be the most important ingredient to improved results in 2015.

More linemen from Stoops’ early recruiting classes, such as tackle Josh Krok and guards Nick Haynes and Cole Mosier, should be ready to contribute this season.

The 2015 recruiting class brings four more regarded lineman to the table this fall, including early-enrollee George Asafo-Adjei and fellow tackles Logan Stenberg and Levon Livingston.

Accumulating lineman is a trend that is continuing in the 2016 recruiting cycle. The Wildcats have four offensive line commitments for next year’s class already, and according to the 247Sports rankings, offensive linemen Landon Young, Drake Jackson and Tate Leavitt are the Wildcats’ top-rated recruits.

Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman told The Herald-Leader’s Jennifer Smith that the offensive line at Kentucky is becoming an easy sell to recruits because of the success they’ve had recruiting at other positions since arriving on campus.

“They’re seeing that we’re bringing in great players at all positions, so they know they’re going to be playing next to a great player,” Schlarman said. “They know great players are going to be out there all around them catching balls, throwing balls, the whole thing. They see the recruiting we’ve been able to establish.”

The Wildcats also received a huge addition to the 2016 offensive line when Ohio State lineman Marcelys Jones decided to transfer to Kentucky last month. He will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2015 season.

Improved offensive line play would elevate the entire offense and allow the team’s depth at the skill positions to maximize production.