In addition, he earned first-team All-SEC honors by the league's coaches and Pro Football Focus. The first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by Pro Football Focus and the league coaches, was a semifinalist for both the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award, given to an offensive or defensive lineman who combines outstanding performance on the field with the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, and the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman. He also allowed only one quarterback sack in more than 350 pass plays.
Kinnard led the team this season at the right tackle position with 30 knockdown blocks. Senior safety Yusuf Corker and senior defensive end Joshua Paschal have also accepted invitations. Kinnard, a 6-foot-5, 338-pound mountain from Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of three Wildcats to accept an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl set for Feb. The process consists of tape study, live game exposures, objective data, football character, personal character and trusted feedback from National Football League front office personnel. The 29 Reese's Bowl All-Americans are made up of college seniors uniquely selected based on the Reese's Senior Bowl's scouting staffs thorough a two-year evaluation process. The postseason awards keep rolling in for Kentucky senior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard as he has been named to the third annual Reese's Senior Bowl All-America Team, announced today by the organization.