Remember before the season started and many expected sophomore Josh Paschal to be Kentucky’s best defensive lineman and a needed stopper for the Cats.
He made the move from linebacker to the defensive line in the spring to enable UK to get its best players on the field at the same time.
Then a few weeks before the season started, it was discovered he had skin cancer and needed surgery and rehab. He has not practiced or played this season.
Coach Mark Stoops has said little about Paschal after his tearful announcement at Media Day about both Paschal and assistant coach John Schlarman having health issues. Schlarman also has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy but continues to coach.
However, Monday the UK coach shared some good news on Paschal.
“Josh is doing good. He’s doing very, very good,” Stoops said. “We’re very encouraged by Josh, his recovery and what he’s doing. So maybe I’ll have a nice smile on my face and good update here in the next couple of weeks. We’ll see, but he’s getting better.
“The procedure that was done to his foot is healing. And that’s what he’s dealing with right now. But he is doing some light running. He is progressing with some body weight stuff right now.”