Kentucky Spring Depth Chart Projection: Super Senior Power

The offense gets most of the buzz, but Kentucky’s rise has been in large part due to the Wildcats finally turning the corner on defense under Mark Stoops. The Wildcats have been in the top half of the SEC in most statistical measures since 2018 and that should remain the case in 2022.

Brad White is back for his fifth year on staff, and this upcoming season will be the Wake Forest alum’s fourth as the defensive coordinator. The 39-year-old appears to have the depth in place to have another fine defense for this upcoming season.

After touching on the offense, KSR is moving over to the defense to project what a depth chart might look like when the Wildcats begin spring practice.

Nose tackle

1. Justin Rogers (6-3, 336, Jr.)
2. Josaih Hayes (6-3, 314, Jr.)

A year after losing Quinton Bohanna to the NFL, Marquan McCall is following a similar path, but Kentucky is still in good shape at nose tackle. Both Justin Rogers and Josaih Hayes played over 200 snaps last and flashed some real potential. Expect a platoon at the zero technique spot throughout the season.

Boundary tackle

1. Octavious Oxendine (6-1, 318, RSo.)
2. Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 270, RFr.)

After showing some real potential in six games as a redshirt freshman, Octavious Oxendine was forced to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Yet, the Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin product should be ready to roll for spring ball. Kahlil Saunders looks like a keeper after playing four games as a true freshman and brings the length that the coaching staff prefers on the line of scrimmage.

Field end

1. Tre’vonn Rybka (6-4, 310, RSo.)
2. Sam Anaele (6-4, 275, RSo.)
3. Darrion Henry-Young (6-5, 279, RSo.)

Josh Paschal leaves monster shoes to fill after playing 653 snaps last season. Tre’vonn Rybka was one of the biggest stories of the Citrus Bowl, and the Middle Tennessee native has major playmaking potential. Ohio State transfer Darrion Henry-Young was added to build up depth while Sam Anaele still has a high ceiling. Replacing Paschal will be difficult, but there are young some promising pieces in Anwar Stewart’s position room.

Edge

1. Jordan Wright (6-5, 233, Super)
2. J.J. Weaver (6-5, 241, RJr.)

With the return of Jordan Wright for a sixth season, Kentucky should have an embarrassment of riches at outside linebacker. Both the veteran and J.J. Weaver are pro prospects who had to grind through the 2021 season dealing with injuries. There is not much depth, but if this duo stays healthy the Wildcats will be versatile with high-level havoc creation ability at edge.

Will linebacker

1. DeAndre Square (6-1, 224, Super)
2. Trevin Wallace (6-2, 220, So.)

DeAndre Square is back for one more ride in the Bluegrass as Kentucky returns its unquestioned leader in the middle of the defense. However, the Detroit Cass Tech product has had issues staying healthy throughout a full season so expect a heavier rotation under new position coach Mike Stoops. Former top-100 recruit Trevin Wallace is a candidate to have a breakout season in a heavier role as a sophomore.

Mike linebacker

1. Jacquez Jones (6-0, 235, Super)
2. D’Eryk Jackson (6-1, 245, RSo.)

Ole Miss transfer Jacquez Jones was a revelation for Kentucky last season leading the team in tackles (85) and showing some real value as a zone coverage defender. Meanwhile, D’Eryk Jackson returned quickly after an Achilles injury and has a bright future. Both linebacker spots are interchangeable so expect a healthy rotation for a deep position at Kentucky.

Medium (Nickel/Sam)

1. Vito Tisdale (6-1, 200, Jr.)
2. Joel Williams (6-1, 204, Jr.)

Last season, Kentucky made the transition to more of a nickel defense in base and that meant a new position. The medium spot is a hybrid role where Kentucky needs coverage, size, burst, and open-field tackling ability. Vito Tisdale seems made for the position and is the clear No. 1 with Davonte Robinson departing. Joel Williams enters his third season in the program and still has a high ceiling.

Field cornerback

1. Andru Phillips (5-11, 180, RSo.)
2. Andre Stewart (5-11, 185, Fr.)

The biggest worry with the defense is just what Kentucky will do at cornerback. As of right now, legacy player Andru Phillips is in a position to grab a starting position. Early enrollee Andre Stewart will have a great chance to play significant snaps as a rookie and will get a long look in spring practice. We should still fully expect the Wildcats to add a transfer at this spot before the season begins.

Boundary cornerback

1. Carrington Valentine (6-0, 200, Jr.)
2. Maxwell Hairston (6-1, 170, RFr.)

Carrington Valentine had a roller coaster year as first season starter, but the Cincinnati Moeller product played a bunch of snaps and will be a guy Kentucky needs to make a big jump forward in his third year in the program. His backup could be anyone. Maxwell Hairston had some good high school tape and could be in the mix after joining the team late in the 2021 season.

Safety

1. Tyrell Ajian (6-0, 190, Super)
2. Jalen Geiger (6-1, 200, RJr.)
3. Taj Dodson (6-1, 198, RJr.)

The safety positions are interchangeable for Kentucky, and the Wildcats will be leaning on some veterans to lead the way. Getting Tyrell Ajian back for his super senior year was a big win for the defense as the Ohio native might be the best coverage player on the team. Jalen Geiger flashed while playing over 300 snaps last season. Taj Dodson is an unproven commodity after battling some injuries for most of his career.

State of the defense

Getting Brad White back another season to run the defense was significant. However, returning four super seniors might have been the program’s biggest win in the offseason.

The defensive line is unproven, but there is a ton of talent, and the depth should give that group a chance to be strong. The second level is the strength with a loaded linebacker room and two stud edge players. Cornerback is a concern, but veterans at safety should give the defense a very solid backbone.

On paper, this does not appear to be one of the best defenses in the Mark Stoops era, but there are enough solid players available for this group to be a top-40 unit for the fifth season in a row under White.