How Kentucky could handle the loss of D'Eryk Jackson

[caption id="attachment_263149" align="aligncenter" width="2216"] (D'Eryk Jackson/Twitter)[/caption] D'Eryk Jackson came to Kentucky as the second-lowest ranked recruit in the highly publicized class of 2020. Despite the lower star rating, the South Georgia inside linebacker quickly made a name for himself. Jackson played sparingly throughout the season and was set to earn a starting position at Mike linebacker in 2021. That is now off the table. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound linebacker has suffered a lower-body injury and will likely miss the 2021 season. A position group currently with just six scholarship players on campus just got a lot thinner as Kentucky tries to find answers at Mike. For the second year in a row, the defense has lost their expected starter at Mike in the offseason and must scramble to try and fill the spot. Here's where the Wildcats stand and what moves could be made to fill the position.

Lack of a true Mike

With this loss, there is only one true Mike linebacker on the roster remaining. Both DeAndre Square and Jared Casey figure to be more suited for the Will position. That leaves just Michigan State transfer, Luke Fulton. That's a concern. The Wildcats slid former inside linebacker, Marquez Bembry, out to the edge this spring, so there's always a chance the former junior college player could move back. Position coach Jon Sumrall told the media earlier this spring that Casey is cross-training at Mike, but the staff has to be careful not to overwhelm the young linebacker. Martez Thrower is a true freshman coming in the summer and could be a long-term Mike linebacker. However, the three-star prospect might not be ready for snaps right away. The biggest concern is there just might not be a positional answer on the roster outside of Fulton. This is not a position to be in four months out from the start of the season.

Trevin Wallace's fit

There was no hiding from how big the Trevin Wallace recruitment was. Landing the top-150 linebacker out of South Georgia was a very big deal. The young prospect has a ton of people excited, but he has still not yet arrived on campus. There is also the variable of figuring out where exactly to play the young blue-chipper. The positionless player in high school seems to be a great fit for a hybrid Sam linebacker role that all programs are looking for on the recruiting trail. The Jesup (Ga.) Wayne Product has shown the ability to cover, fit the run and rush the passer in high school. Wallace should be able to take on blocks and make plays in space. This seems like a perfect fit for his skill set, but positional need somewhere else may take over. Kentucky needs answers at Mike and Wallace is more than capable to play the position. This could make a personnel decision a little easier for the coaching staff, but could just be a short-term fix.

Position turnover

Kash Daniel took over as Kentucky's starting Mike linebacker in 2018 and held the spot through two seasons. Despite some ups and downs, the Wildcats knew what they were getting from their man in the middle weekly. The position plays a key role in communicating the calls and the stability provided by the veteran allowed the staff to bring both Chris Oats and Jamin Davis along slowly. However, things have changed a lot in the last calendar year. Chris Oats was unexpectedly lost creating a void at Mike. Jamin Davis stepped in admirably and turned himself into a first-round draft pick in his only year as a starter. However, that created another hole to fill. Now the expected next-man-up has been lost for the season. Kentucky is getting stretched very thin at the position, but they have been able to avoid disaster to this point. They got some elite play out of the entire situation last year. Hopefully, the program can find some answers to get the position through the upcoming season.

Waiver wire

The talent acquisition game has changed in college sports. The transfer portal provides an option for all programs to use. With the NCAA seemingly passing the one-time free transfer rule, this is even more so the case. Digging in for potential help at inside linebacker should be something the Wildcats consider. Kentucky's depth is becoming razor-thin in the middle of the defense. The Wildcats must make sure enough bodies are available to help. Visiting the portal might be what the program has to do to fill the void at Mike.