LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Senior offensive lineman Lance Heard and junior tight end Willie Rodriguez have been named to the 2026 Preseason Media Days All-Southeastern Conference Team, Kentucky announced Friday.
Heard earned second-team honors, while Rodriguez was selected to the third team.
Lance Heard
Heard, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive lineman from Bonita, Louisiana, transferred to Kentucky after two seasons at Tennessee (2024-25) and one season at LSU (2023). He enters the 2026 season as one of the Wildcats’ key additions on the offensive line.
He has played 35 career games and made 24 starts, seeing action on more than 1,700 snaps while allowing just three sacks. Heard was named to the All-SEC Third Team after making all 12 starts at left tackle for Tennessee in 2025.
Willie Rodriguez
Rodriguez, a 6-foot-4, 249-pound tight end from Taylor Mill, Kentucky, started seven of 12 games last season, recording 23 catches for 310 yards and one touchdown.
He had two receptions for 28 yards and the first touchdown of his collegiate career against Eastern Michigan, and a career-high six receptions for a career-best 78 yards at Vanderbilt. His six receptions were the most by a Kentucky tight end since C.J. Conrad caught six passes at Mississippi State in 2015.
Season opener
Kentucky opens the 2026 season against Youngstown State on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. ET at Kroger Field. The game will air on SEC Network+.
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