WATCH: Kentucky mics up Jordan Lovett

Cornerback is a position of concern for Kentucky entering the 2023 season. Safety is not. Part of the reason for that is due to the return of Jordan Lovett.

The Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin product started the final 11 games for Kentucky last season after replacing an injured Jalen Geiger in a Week 2 victory over Florida. As a redshirt freshman, Lovett recorded 62 tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and played 693 defensive snaps.

The class of 2021 signee was the No. 729 overall ranked prospect in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking. Lovett was a top-10 player in Kentucky joining Jager Burton, Dekel Crowdus, Jordan Dingle, and high school teammate La’Vell Wright in Lexington from that class. Jantzen Dunn would join the group this past offseason after two seasons with Ohio State.

Kentucky will need Lovett to play at a high level as a redshirt sophomore. On Friday, Kentucky football released a video of “the riddler” as fall camp rolls on in Lexington.

Mic'd up with "the riddler" @Jordan_Lovett1 pic.twitter.com/GKA4COAon1

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 4, 2023

Kentucky has a big three at safety

Jordan Lovett is Kentucky’s expected starter at free safety. However, he is not the only strong contributor in Kentucky’s safety room. Jalen Geiger is rejoining the lineup as a redshirt senior after missing most of last season. The Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley product has recorded 29 tackles during his previous four years in college. Zion Childress is back for year two in Lexington. The former Texas State transfer has recorded 169 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and four tackles for loss during his collegiate career.

Alex Afari Jr. is also expected to play a big role for defensive coordinator Brad White playing the hybrid linebacker/safety medium position in Kentucky’s scheme. Safeties will play a monumental role in this defense in 2023.

Lovett and the rest of this crew will be asked to produce at a high level early and often this fall.