Kentucky will face Iowa in the Citrus Bowl on Saturday and it appears as if the Wildcats will be without one of their best defensive players.

Mark Stoops told reporters Friday morning that senior defensive end Josh Paschal was “highly questionable” to play.

Added Stoops: “He really wants to play, but I don’t feel like I can play him with a clear conscious.”

Paschal has been dealing with multiple undisclosed health issues since Kentucky beat Louisville in its regular season finale on Nov. 27, spoiling what was otherwise a tremendous senior season.

The 6-3, 278-pounder started all 12 games for the 9-3 Wildcats in 2021 and recorded 53 tackles, 15.5 tackles for losses, and 5.5 sacks.