Left tackle has proven to be the most dangerous spot on the field for a Kentucky Wildcat the last two seasons.

Prior to season opener in both 2017 and 2018, the Cats lost their expected starter to a season-ending knee injury as Cole Mosier and Landon Young each went down in camp.

Kentucky had adjusted well to the loss of Young through the first four games of the season, but Naasir Watkins, who had been splitting time at left tackle with E.J. Price, suffered a sprained knee in last week's win over South Carolina.

Watkins is expected to be out for "several weeks," according to the UK staff, which means the Cats are prepping yet another player for significant action at that important position going into this week's game at Texas A&M.

"It's football," UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran said following Tuesday's practice at the Joe Craft Football Training Center. "Unfortunately, it's been one position over the last two years that's kind of been crazy, but in this game it's always 'Next man up.' You get your opportunity that coach always talks about. You're sowing and sowing and sowing, and you get frustrated because you're not playing, and then all of the sudden you get a chance to reap. You better be ready."

The "next man up" in this case is freshman Darian Kinnard, who was blocking high school opponents at this time last year at tradition-rich St. Ignatius in Cleveland. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound specimen -- a former U.S. Army All-American selection -- will be backing up both right tackle and left tackle for the Cats as they visit Kyle Field to face the Aggies.

"I've been preparing for five weeks," Kinnard said. "It's hard for a kid coming from high school with maybe 8,000 people (watching a game) to almost 100,000 and it being on live TV. The environment's going to be crazy, but I'm going to have to focus in and make sure I know what I'm doing and make sure my team comes out with a victory."

Kinnard has been faring well in practice, according to his coaches and teammates. Shedding almost 30 pounds from the 367 figure when he reported to Lexington has been a major benefit.

"I feel like I move a lot quicker," he said. "I'm in better shape. Since I came in weighing 367, now I'm about 330, so I've dropped a lot of weight. I'm making sure I'm maneuverable, making sure I can get off the ball quickly."

Kentucky was hopeful it could keep Kinnard under the four-game limit on the new redshirt rule and be able to preserve a full year of eligibility for him, but that plan has likely gone by the wayside now. It is not a dire situation, though. The Cats are high on the youngster.

"He's been ready to go. His number just hasn't been called," UK offensive line coach John Schlarman said.

"Darrian's really talented," UK center Drake Jackson said. "I think he came in really heavy, and he's lost a lot of that weight, and it's really showing. He moves really well, and he's got a good understanding of how to move and how to block for a true freshman. He's a good young player. I'm excited to see what happens with him."

Kinnard says he bought in quickly to the concept of "next man up."

"It's definitely something that (Schlarman) hammers home, and now you can see why," he said.

Extra film room study with Jackson has helped his transition from the high school level to the SEC, Kinnard said. He also noted that fellow tackle George Asafo-Adjei has set an example for the type of work ethic it takes to succeed in the nation's top league.

But it may be a defensive player that is getting Kinnard best prepared for what he'll face moving forward. Every day at the JCFTC, he must line up across one of the nation's top pass-rushers in the form of UK star linebacker Josh Allen.

"It definitely gives me confidence (when he wins a one-on-one against Allen)," Kinnard said. "But sometimes you get beat, and it's like, 'Oh man.' I don't like losing... so when I do get a win and hold him (off the quarterback) it's definitely a booster."

Kinnard said Allen is quick to share pointers with his offensive line teammates, what is working for them and what may get them in trouble at times. "He has communicated with me to make sure I improve my sets and my pass protection."

And when he does well?

"It's amazing to get that compliment sometimes when you actually do something right and you win," Kinnard said. "It feels good to know you've gone up against an NFL-type guy."