Kentucky defense looks like the real deal at Fan Day

Expectations are high for Kentucky’s defense in 2024. After seeing two workouts during the first week of fall camp, there is no reason to start backing off those expectations. The Wildcats look like the real deal.

At Fan Day on Saturday, we saw some dominant stretches from Brad White‘s defense, and the overall depth of the roster was also on full display. Kentucky’s defense could be in position to have a great year in 2024. The Wildcats are stout upfront, have had clear pre-snap communication in the two open practices, are disruptive in run fits and short passing concepts, and are displaying sticky coverage in the backend.

After recapping what the offense showed us, KSR is now shifting over to the defense where the Wildcats look strong at all three levels.

Pop Dumas-Johnson flashes skill set

On Friday, we saw Georgia linebacker transfer Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson running with the second-team defense. That was not the case on Saturday at Fan Day. The former All-American was with the first-team defense most of the day and flashed the skill set that made him a two-year starter in Athens.

In run fits, the senior was sudden and aggressive quickly diagnosing plays and getting downhill in run fits. Dumas-Johnson looked like he was beating blockers to the spot and that short-area quickness will help him upgrade Kentucky’s run defense and add value to Brad White’s simulated pressure package.

Expectations are high for the SEC linebacker transfer and he looked the part on Saturday. The tandem of Dumas-Johnson and D’Eryk Jackson has a chance to be one of the best in the conference. With the second unit, we saw Alex Afari Jr. playing Will linebacker proving that Kentucky is committed to playing the tweener at a more permanent position this season. Former Northern Illinois transfer Daveren Rayner looks like LB3, but Afari is charging, and redshirt freshman Grant Godfrey was also rotating in.

Zion Childress is experimenting with a new position

Andru Phillips is currently in his first NFL training camp with the New York Giants. Alex Afari Jr. is learning off-ball linebacker. That means Kentucky has a ton of snaps to fill at nickel. How will those be filled? We’re starting to find out.

Former Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn can play more true nickel but the redshirt junior was mainly used at field cornerback opposite Maxwell Hairston. When Kentucky got into their medium package on Saturday, Ty Bryant came into the lineup at safety allowing Zion Childress to come down close to the line of scrimmage to play nickel.

The super senior played some slot cornerback at Texas State before coming to Kentucky and was primarily used as a traditional safety each of the last two seasons. Now the Wildcats are looking to take advantage of some of their safety depth and are asking Childress to fill a role at nickel.

Heavy rotation at cornerback

Maxwell Hairston immediately stands out as one of Kentucky’s best defensive players and was making plays all over the field. The redshirt junior is a known commodity. Some projection is needed for the other cornerbacks on Kentucky’s roster but there is no denying that the depth is improved.

Hairston and Dunn were the starters but there is a lot of rotating going on. Nasir Addison, JQ Hardaway, and Michigan transfer DJ Waller Jr. all received reps with the twos on Saturday. All three are likely not far away from getting a long look with the first team.

Dunn is set to have a big role on the defense but another cornerback needs to emerge. Kentucky added Waller for a reason but it seems like the coaching staff thinks highly of Addison and Hardaway.

Kentucky has a star and improved depth at cornerback. That should mean good things for a pass defense that needs to make serious strides in 2024.

Class of 2024 has some pass rush potential

Some true freshmen on offense caught our attention on Saturday, but this class also has some intriguing young talent on defense. The defensive front has seemingly added a couple of future playmakers.

The explosiveness of defensive lineman Jerod Smith II immediately jumps out and that gives the former top-250 recruit some high-level disruptive potential. The Corbin (Ky.) High product still needs to add some weight but you can already see the pass rush tools. Smith will likely help Kentucky this season.

Expectations are not as high for former three-star recruit Steven Soles but the tools we saw on his senior tape showed up on Saturday. The outside linebacker flashed good get off and tremendous bend as a pass rusher and that could make him a hard block for offensive tackles in isolation. Soles is a bit undersized but the young player oozes twitchiness and brings a skill set that can produce a ton of value. Soles might not have a role this season but you can see his pass rush potential already.

The early returns on the class of 2024 are very good.