JJ Weaver Announces Return to Kentucky Football

The Big Blue Nation can let out a sigh of relief. Days after J.J. Weaver shared a cryptic message on Twitter — “Have to do what’s best for ME!” — he revealed what’s best for him is another year at the University of Kentucky.

JJ Weaver will return for the 2023 Kentucky football season. He’s the third Wildcat to announce a return this week, following IOL Kenneth Horsey and TE Brenden Bates.

Thank you #BBN
This what’s best for me!! @UKFootball @UKCoachStoops @vincemarrow pic.twitter.com/xnZIVqbORd

— JJ Weaver (@jjtimeee) January 8, 2023

Weaver, a former four-star recruit from Louisville, has spent four years in Lexington. He could have taken his talents to the NFL, and many thought that might be the case when he participated in Senior Day festivities ahead of the Louisville game. Simply a formality, he has unfinished business to attend to in year five at Kentucky.

Arguably the Wildcats’ best athlete on the edge since Josh Allen, untimely injuries have put Weaver behind the 8-ball throughout his Kentucky career. In his breakthrough game at Florida in 2020, he suffered a torn ACL. The following year he was able to return and win Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year for his efforts, but he was never 100% healthy. Finally ready for a full season of football in 2022, he suffered an elbow injury in week three that sidelined him for a few games.

In his career he has totaled 120 tackles, 24 for loss, 10 sacks and two interceptions in 2021. He led the Wildcats this fall with 3.0 sacks and was second in TFLs with 6.5. Weaver saved his best for last. He stripped UofL quarterback Brock Domann and recovered the fumble in the red zone before stumbling just short of the goal line. There’s plenty more of where that came from in his arsenal saved for his fifth and final season at Kentucky in 2023.