Kentucky will get future look at linebacker versus Tennessee

Redshirt senior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson has been a mainstay in Kentucky’s lineup over the last three seasons. The class of 2020 signee led the defense in tackles in 2022 and 2023. In his fifth year, Jackson was playing at an All-SEC level before suffering an injury.

The veteran was limited against Auburn and will not be available this weekend against Tennessee. That allows Kentucky to take a look at the future of the position.

With Jackson out, we should see a bigger role at linebacker Alex Afari Jr. in Week 10. In the summer, the former four-star recruit began the transition from playing exclusively stand-up Sam linebacker to getting more reps inside the box at Will linebacker. Now the hybrid player is entrenched at Will this week with Jackson not available.

Afari replaced Jackson full-time in the second half against Auburn and Kentucky’s run defense struggled. The Wildcats need players at all three levels to play better, but there will be pressure on Afari to make the correct reads, be in the correct gaps, and finish tackles in run support.

Kentucky’s coaching staff likes Afari’s potential but there is some inexperience that can only improve with live game reps.

“Understanding his position on the football. There’s times we’re getting out of position and understanding leverage. As a linebacker, it’s a little bit different inside compared to being outside. Those are all nuances that he’ll become more familiar with as he continues to play,” Kentucky inside linebackers coach Mike Stoops told KSR on Tuesday when asked about Afari. “I thought it was a great learning experience for him.”

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Afari told KSR that his play versus Auburn “wasn’t perfect” and that there is “stuff I need to work on” but that could be expected in his first time playing the position for an extended period. In the upcoming matchup with Tennessee, the Wildcats will face a run-heavy offense requiring second level-defenders to be gap-sound and finish tackles. Kentucky will need Afari to play well on Rocky Top.

“We just gotta do our job. Stay in our gaps. Strike when we have to and stuff like that,” Afari explained. “Everything is going to take care of itself. “

With the linebacker position turning over in a big way after the season, Kentucky will need two new starters in 2025. The Tennessee game will give the coaching staff a good evaluation opportunity. Is Afari ready to be a full-time starter at Will? Or is more development needed?

If Jackson has an extended absence, Kentucky will find out quickly where the program stands at linebacker. So far, Kentucky likes where Alex Afari Jr. is in this position switch. Now the defense needs to see the junior take a step forward in his first career start at the position.

“We’re excited to see him continue to progress,” Stoops said.