2026 Kentucky Wildcats football position preview: Defensive Tackle

After looking at where the Kentucky Wildcats offensive position groups sit post spring, we are now shifting our focus to the defensive side of the football. We started on the edge, as Kentucky has a deep rotation at edge defender that are poised to produce in 2026. Not only does defensive coordinator Jay Bateman have a loaded rotation on the edge, but the interior defensive line has taken shape as well. Let's take a look at the projected defensive tackle rotation this fall.

Starters

• Tavion Gadson
• Jamarrion Harkless

Edge defender Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace is someone who will benefit from the switch from an odd to an even front in the new defensive scheme, and Tavion Gadson is right there with him. Gadson had to play that 4i technique a ton last season, which is playing on the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle. He gets to move to a traditional pass rush alignment, on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard which is labeled as a 3 technique. At 6'5, 303-pounds, Gadson has legitimate pass rush ability for a 3 technique and will likely see his sack production increase from his 2.5 sacks last season.

Lexington-native Jamarrion Harkless came back to play for his hometown team after spending three seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers. Harkless stands at 6'3, 346-pounds and has the true nose tackle mold that helps take up blockers in the run game. He will be an early down warrior that will take on double teams and help free up space for off ball linebackers to make plays against the run. Expect Harkless to get subbed out on third and long, predictable pass situations but his role on early downs will be extremely valuable to the defense this year.

Backups

• Ahmad Breaux
• Kalen Edwards

Ahmad Breaux transfers in from LSU, where he played in 25 games in his freshman and sophomore season for the Tigers. Breaux has the second best pass rush skillset among defensive tackles on the team, which is second to only Gadson. Playing early on in your career at an SEC school is a typically a sign of good things to come. Some would say his best days between the white lines are ahead of him, and the thought of Breaux and Gadson lining up beside each other on pure pass downs can be a dangerous combination.