Kentucky is in 'next man up' mode at cornerback with Maxwell Hairston out

Preseason All-SEC cornerback Maxwell Hairston will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday. That means that Kentucky is remaining in next man up mode at cornerback.

Michigan transfer DJ Waller Jr. is set to make his second consecutive start after playing well against Ole Miss. The true sophomore will join junior JQ Hardaway in the starting lineup again. Defensive coordinator Brad White says that the guys in the position room need to be ready to play on Saturday.

“I hate the cliche next man up, but it is what it is. We’ve talked about it going into the Ole Miss game,” White said. “We’ve gotta a bunch of guys that are ready to play, and that’s why they practice hard to be the next guy in.”

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The challenge against Vanderbilt could be more difficult as Hairston sits out, and Terhyon Nichols has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. That could force redshirt junior Jantzen Dunn or sophomore Nasir Addison into action. Kentucky’s depth is being tested, but the cornerbacks say they will be ready for the challenge to replace Hairston.

“I’ve been practicing like I’ve been starting,” Waller said.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops gave the secondary some major kudos for how they covered in the Ole Miss win. The challenge will be different facing a run-heavy Vanderbilt offense but the Wildcats will be leaning on some unproven players to step up in a big SEC game.

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