Athlon has 4 Kentucky players on preseason All-SEC teams

The Athlon Sports college football preview magazine hit shelves this week, and the 2022 edition has nearly 300 pages of information. Every program in the FBS is touched to go along with a top 25 for the FCS, but the SEC just gets a little more attention.

All 14 teams in the league get their own four-page feature in the magazine that is filled with team information, in-depth breakdowns, advanced stats, bowl predictions, betting information, and a full roster. There were also preseason teams.

Among the three All-SEC teams listed, Kentucky had four players make an appearance.

• First-team (offense): Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• Second-team (offense): Kenneth Horsey
• Second-team (defense): J.J. Weaver
• Third-team (punt returner): Tayvion Robinson

Let’s break it all down.

Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s record year could be in question

Star tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. decided to return for his redshirt senior season in 2022 with a chance to break a ton of records. The former low three-star recruit was a first-team All-SEC selection last year as he rushed for 1,379 yards. Rodriguez needs just 1,134 more yards to set the program record.

However, availability remains a huge question.

KSR’s Nick Roush reported on Tuesday that there is growing optimism regarding Rodriguez, but we all must play the waiting game first. Meanwhile, FCS transfer Ramon Jefferson is now a transfer target of note after visiting Kentucky last week.

Rodriguez is clearly one of the best tailbacks in college football, but we are unsure if the veteran will be on the field this fall.

Kenneth Horsey solidifies Big Blue Wall

There are legitimate concerns about what offensive tackle will look like for Kentucky in 2022, but there are no worries about the interior. Keeping Kenneth Horsey at left guard is a big reason why.

The redshirt senior served as both a guard and swing tackle for the Wildcats last season with the Sanford (Fla.) Seminole product starting 21 games over the last two seasons. Horsey is one of the best interior pass protectors in college football. Teaming up with Eli Cox and Auburn transfer Tashawn Manning inside should give Kentucky quite the trio on the interior.

Expect Horsey to have a big year as the veteran looks to develop into a draftable prospect.

J.J. Weaver could be primed for breakthrough season

As a redshirt freshman in 2020, J.J. Weaver seemed ready to turn the corner. The Louisville (Ky.) Moore product and former four-star recruit logged 33 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss before tearing his ACL against Florida on Thanksgiving weekend.

Despite the significant injury, Weaver did not miss anytime in 2021.

The edge player raced back from injury to record 34 tackles and 10 tackles for loss as a redshirt sophomore but was clearly not 100 percent as the knee recovered. However, Weaver was full go in the spring and seems to now have an extra gear.

J.J. Weaver has a chance to turn into the next great edge rusher for Kentucky as the fourth-year player could be Kentucky’s top havoc producer this fall. For a defense that needs a star playmaker to emerge, Weaver could be that guy.

The second-team All-SEC honor makes sense.

Tayvion Robinson adds pop to the return game

At this point, Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson is expected to be the No. 1 target for Will Levis this season. The slot receiver will be taking over for Wan’Dale Robinson, and the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan offense is very efficient at utilizing slot wideouts.

However, Robinson also has some value as a returner.

In the ACC, the former top-500 recruit averaged over 11 yards per return in his career on 48 career punt returns. Robinson is a true difference-maker in the third phase who can provide added value to the field position battle.

Tayvion Robinson with a big Punt Return for the TOUCHDOWN

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Last season, Kentucky ranked No. 103 in average starting field position (27.2) as fielding and setting up punt returns have been somewhat of an issue for the punt return team. Robinson should help fix some of those issues while also being a top playmaker for the passing game.

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