Davonte Robinson could unlock new look Kentucky defense

With only five scholarship EDGE players on the roster heading into 2021, Kentucky must get creative in how personnel is used on defense. Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White will be depending on super senior Davonte Robinson.

The Lexington (Ky.) Henry Clay High product is now in year six with the program with eight starts in 37 career games played. The 6-foot-2 safety has recorded 88 tackles (61 solo) to go along with five non-sack tackles for loss and four pass breakups in his career. In 2018, Robinson graded out very well with a 75.5 mark per PFF. The former mid three-star recruit was set to be a star of the defense until the injury bug hit.

Robinson missed all of 2019 with a quadriceps injury and returned to the lineup in 2020. However, the defensive back never did truly look himself while finishing the year with 27 tackles in 287 snaps. Kentucky is depending on the veteran to return to form this season.

“I’m seeing a guy that — he’s ready to prove himself,” said White about Robinson on Tuesday. “He knows that last year wasn’t representative of what he’s been in the past and he’s come back with a purpose. We’ve talked about his body is in much better shape right now. He understands that he’s a huge part and a huge factor for this team. I’m going to put a lot on him out there to the field and we need him to come through big time because — we’ve talked about it — it’s not one of our deeper areas.

Due to that lack of depth and not having a 100 percent J.J. Weaver entering the season, Kentucky is getting creative with personnel. Replacing Boogie Watson in the base defense will be Robinson as the Wildcats go to a 3-3-5 base look. The until will need the veteran to do a lot of things.

Similar to how Mike Edwards was used back in 2018, Robinson will be a chess piece for Stoops and White. The hybrid player could play some EDGE, will line up as an off-ball linebacker, could float around about eight yards deep as a rover, or could be called on to cover slot receivers in press man. Regardless, this is a guy that will be playing in space towards the wide side of the field. In Kentucky’s “medium” package, the Wildcats need Robinson to make decisions quickly. This is a very instinctual role and one that comes with a lot of responsibility.

Due to the ability of Jordan Wright to be both an edge rusher and solid coverage linebacker, Kentucky could rotate between three and four-down fronts for most of the season. However, Robinson will be key to all of this. The super senior will be asked to fit the run, must be able to cover running backs and tight ends in space, and needs twitchiness when called to come on a pressure.

“We definitely got options,” said White about the defensive structure. “We can play medium with D-Rob out there to the field. We can do some different things.”

Get ready for a different-looking Kentucky defense in 2021. For it to succeed, Davonte Robinson will need to have a big season.