JJ Weaver 'proud' of young Kentucky defenders

JJ Weaver is now the veteran in the linebacker room at Kentucky. With key veterans moving on from Lexington this offseason, he is now the senior heading into his fifth season of college football that is tasked with leading that unit.

However, as the elder statesman in the group, that gives him the perspective to be proud of where the other linebackers are.

Weaver applauded the younger linebackers and their progress during his media availability last week. He expressed a lot of pride in how far they’ve come and said now it’s all about getting them to be more consistent in their reps.

“They’re getting it. I’m not gonna lie. I’m proud of my young guys,” said Weaver. “They’re learning the game. Right now, it’s more consistent. Just being more consistent with the reps. I’m loving my young guys.”

With DeAndre Square, Jacquez Jones, and Jordan Wright all out, that leaves Weaver as the experienced member of the unit. He has been quite productive in his time too with 120 tackles, including a career-high of 47 last season. He also has 10 sacks, five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

Even so, there’s a lot of younger talent coming up behind him at linebacker. At inside linebacker, Trevin Wallace and Martez Thrower are a pair of juniors who will get far more snaps considering the open snaps left for the taking. Then, at outside linebacker alongside Weaver, the Wildcats will look at players like sophomore Keaten Wade and redshirt freshman Tyreese Fearbry to produce as well.

Kentucky does have a lot of questions on their defense solely because of the loss of production they’ll have to overcome next year. Still, there’s also a level of excitement that comes with that considering the fresh faces who could make an impact for them and, in Weaver’s eyes, they’re already well on their way down that path.

Weaver says Kentucky has improved tackling in spring practice

Two things have been emphasized by UK defensive coordinator Brad White this spring, according to EDGE JJ Weaver — tackling and hustling to the ball.

Kentucky is drilling the basics right now, but not because they lack the capacity to perform them. Instead, White wants them to hone their craft in the hopes that they’ve perfected the motions heading into fall camp.

Before spring training wraps up, White explained his emphasis on tackling this offseason, and how it helps veterans like Weaver from becoming complacent this early in the year.

“That’s something we do every day, even in the fall. It’s just such a vital part. We actually just had a big meeting on it as a defense yesterday, a big presentation,” White said. “That’s something that unless there’s an incomplete pass or somebody goes out of bounds? You’re gonna have to tackle on every single down.

“So, from a tackling perspective, that’s an emphasis obviously in spring. Maybe even a little more physical in that sense. Your bodies aren’t having to worry about being ready for Saturday. But that’s always an emphasis here and always will be.”