Kentucky’s program is gaining a lot of respect these days, and much of it starts on defense as coach Mark Stoops has developed a solid unit that returns 7 starters.

One of those is mammoth defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna, listed at 357 pounds, who received some accolades this week from teammate Darian Kinnard, an offensive lineman. 

“Q’s a great athlete for how big he is, he can move 3 to nose, he can do it all,” Kinnard said on the UK Sports Network. “He has great technique with hands, he can swing over you. He has good hands, good power.”

Bohanna last season started in all 13 games at nose guard, which took him up to 19 consecutive starts. He made 18 tackles, 3 TFL, a sack and a pass breakup.

Defensive coordinator Brad White recently said Bohanna needs to be more consistent and occupy blockers.

“Quinton and I have had quite a few talks – because I have lofty expectations for what he can be for us,” White said. “And I will not shy away from that, and he doesn’t want me to shy away from the fact that we need more out of him, and I expect more.

“It’s not about being, one play or two play a game, you know, that looks good in a highlight film. It has to be consistent down in and down out. Again, he wasn’t just a highlight guy, he does a lot of the dirty work that nobody sees. He commands a lot of double teams, he keeps guys free. But what I expect of him is to do that – and then more. So it’s his job plus is what we talk about. What he can do is he can hold point and when it comes off, I expect him to tear off.”