Two defensive players have left the Kentucky program and a key cog in the offensive line has sprained his knee, Coach Joker Phillips announced Wednesday after practice.

Qua Huzzie, a 5-foot-10 sophomore linebacker from LaGrange, Ga., has decided to transfer.

"It always is (disappointing) when someone leaves a program," Phillips said. "Qua's got a special place in my heart because I had a chance to recruit him, and I've known his family for a long time."

Huzzie, who was hampered by injuries during much of his time at UK, played in eight games, getting 17 tackles, including one for a loss, last season. He had a season-best four tackles versus Charleston Southern.

"It was a surprise," Phillips said when asked about Huzzie's departure. "I don't know how long he's been thinking about it, but it was a surprise."

Josh Gibbs, a senior free safety, opted to give up football for "personal reasons."

He was a backup safety last season (playing in all 13 games) with 10 tackles for the season, including a season-high four against Western Kentucky.

Stuart Hines, a two-year starter at guard, sprained his knee, but he is likely to be back in time for the Cats' Sept. 1 opener against Western Kentucky.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Bowling Green native has played in 36 games with 24 starts. He sat out two games last season with an injury.

"We wish all of those guys well, and we hope Stuart gets back quicker than we think," Phillips said.