JJ 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 about going through tackling drills. “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 because your bodies aren’t having to worry about being ready for Saturday. But that’s always an emphasis here and always will be.”

In his four-year career at UK, he has totaled 120 tackles, 24 for loss, 10 sacks including two interceptions in 2021. He led the Wildcats this fall with 3.0 sacks and was second in TFLs with 6.5 and is arguably the Wildcats’ best athlete on the edge since Josh Allen, but injuries have kept him from breaking out at as the next big superstar EDGE to come out of Lexington.

Weaver was a four-star in-state recruit out of Louisville Moore High School. He was ranked No. 372 in the 2019 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Ranking, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He has lived up to his pre-college ranking and then some under Mark Stoops at Kentucky.

Many figured Weaver would forgoe his final season of eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Instead, Weaver will be the go-to guy in Brad White’s defense this season. With Weaver locking down the defense, and OC Liam Coen and QB1 Devin Leary leading the charge in the ‘Cats new-look offense, things are looking up for Kentucky this offseason.

With no spring game to be had in Lexington this offseason, the first chance fans have to see the Wildcats in action will be during their season opener on Sept. 2 against Ball State.