Versatility could allow Alex Afari Jr. to play multiple roles for Kentucky's defense

Alex Afari Jr. was a four-star recruiting win for Kentucky out of Cincinnati in the 2022 high school cycle. The junior has made a big impact in his first two seasons but a big year could be on the way in 2024.

The hybrid linebacker/safety has filled Kentucky’s medium position as a bigger slot nickel defender as a freshman and sophomore. Afari started 12 games as a sophomore and has played over 800 snaps through two seasons. Now the veteran has added weight (222 lbs.) heading into a big year. Could a full-time position switch to off-ball linebacker be on the way?

It seems possible.

“He is a guy that kind of came in as a tweener. He’s such a big athlete. We knew that coming out of high school that he was just a very good football player. He’s played multiple positions for us already,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops told KSR at SEC Media Days. “May play him in some different spots here coming up this fall.”

That seems like an important development. Kentucky enters the season with a boatload of scholarship linebackers but there might not be much depth. D’Eryk Jackson, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Daveren Rayner are the only players with real SEC game experience. That’s somewhat worrisome for a position that typically deals with a high amount of attrition. Could Afari help boost that position and give the Wildcats some more class balance? That seems possible.

Through two seasons, Alex Afari Jr. has recorded 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. Kentucky probably wants the junior on the field as much as possible. That is harder when Afari is only playing the hybrid nickel role. Becoming a box linebacker would give the talented player some more playing time opportunities.

“He’s a guy that has a bright future, ” Stoops said. “Has to go through the growing pains of trusting us to move him around and put him in a position that ultimately is best for him because what’s best for him is going to help the team.”

Those growing pains could mean a positional switch in 2024. Do not be surprised if you see Afari emerge at off-ball linebacker this fall. A good position might just get deeper with this move.