Kentucky OT Meadows, DE Johnson suspended for opener
When Kentucky released its first depth chart of the season Monday evening, the most noticeable update was the absence of starting right tackle Kyle Meadows and starting defensive tackle C.J. Johnson.
According to the Courier-Journal, Mark Stoops said at his media availability that Meadows, a sophomore, and Johnson, a senior, have been suspended for the season opener due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
Johnson's absence could be particularly problematic since the Wildcats' defensive front is already shorthanded; pass-rushing outside linebacker Jason Hatcher, a junior, has already been suspended for the first two games of the season.
Right tackle is the only position on the line that doesn't return its starter from last season, and in Meadows' absence, true freshman George Asafo-Adjei will start against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Courier-Journal reported that the massive Asafo-Adjei (listed at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds), an early enrollee, has impressed since spring and might have beaten out Meadows even without the suspension, particularly since Meadows missed significant portions of fall camp with migraines.