Kentucky linebacker D'Eryk Jackson is out for the season

Kentucky redshirt senior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson led the defense in tackles in 2022 and 2023. The South Georgia native entered the 2024 season with high expectations. Jackson looked like one of Kentucky’s best player all season recording 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one sack, and one interception in 354 snaps through eight games.

Unfortunately, Jackson’s season is officially over. Mark Stoops announced after the 48-6 win over Murray State in Week 12 that the starting linebacker is out for the season.

“He’s out for the year,” Stoops said.

Kentucky is hopeful that Jamon Dumas-Johnson, J.J. Weaver, and Deone Walker will return to the lineup soon but Jackson’s year is over. After five years in the program, a move to the NFL could be next after the multi-year starter recorded 216 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, five interceptions, three sacks, and one forced fumbles during his career in Lexington. Due to only playing four games in 2021 due to an Achilles injury, Jackson could conceivably receive a medical redshirt if he wanted to return for a sixth season in 2026. The veteran popped up on Kentucky’s availability report after the loss to Florida in Week 8 and was pulled from the Auburn game in Week 9. Alex Afari Jr. has now started the last two games at linebacker with Jackson unavailable.

Redshirt freshman Grant Godfrey earned his first career start on Saturday as Dumas-Johnson was unavailable. The Wildcats are dealing with a difficult injury situation at linebacker.

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