Kentucky Defense “Year One to Year Two” Jumps to Watch

The Network, or ESPN as it’s officially called, projected the Kentucky defense to be a top-five unit in the nation in 2023. That’s a bold but not outlandish prediction based on prior performance and the projected two-deep depth chart. 

If you’ve read my stuff on this website or listened to me on various talking outlets, I’ve been highly complimentary of coordinator Brad White for quite some time. His defenses have finished in the top five in the SEC in every season he’s called plays for Mark Stoops. This upcoming season should be no different. 

The Kentucky defense has benefitted from coaching consistency. The coordinator and his crew have been together for more time than their frequently changing offensive counterparts. The UK defensive staff also excels in player development and has proven to maximize the talent on their side of the aisle.

2023 could be an exciting season for the UK defense based on returning players that contains a promising collection of year-two contributors. Let’s get into it. 

Defensive Line

Deone Walker enjoyed one of, if not the most impressive and dominant true freshman campaigns in UK history. The 6’6, 348-pound defensive lineman hauled in a plethora of accolades that included: 

• On3 True Freshman All-American
• PFF All-True Freshman Team
• CFN First Team Freshman All-American
• All-SEC 
• Midseason Freshman All-American 
• SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week 

Walker played in 13 games with 11 consecutive starts as a rookie. He recorded 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, five QB hurries, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble last season. Walker’s six tackles, one TFL, two QB hurries, one forced fumble, and half a QB sack against Louisville led to him being named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. 

Walker is a star. He’ll be at UK for two more seasons before entering the NFL Draft. Opponents will be more than aware of his prowess and will prepare accordingly. The sophomore will see more double and triple teams in 2023. The second-year defender is must-watch entertainment and should follow up his stellar freshman season with more accolades as a sophomore. 

Another defensive lineman that I’m high on is Kahlil Saunders. The 6’5, 290-pound sophomore from Huntsville, AL saw action in 11 games in 2022. The defensive end posted 13 tackles, one TFL, and half a QB sack a year ago. His best game was against the Wildcats’ best opponent, Georgia. Saunders recorded five tackles against the Dawgs. He did not play against Louisville in the Governor’s Cup or Iowa in the Music City Bowl due to an injury that also kept him out of spring practice. He’s expected to be full-go for fall camp. 

Nose tackle Jamarius Dinkins is yet another second-year defender that exceeded expectations in 2022. He registered nine stops and a TFL in nine games as a redshirt freshman. Listed at 6’5, 290, Dinkins brings length and reach to the nose tackle position. He can best be utilized for an interior push on certain-passing downs. Dinkins really came on in the back half of last season’s schedule. His best football lies ahead. 

OLB Keaten Wade 

Keaten Wade played in all 13 games last season as a true freshman. The 6’5, 250-pound outside linebacker is considered a rising star for Coach Brad White. Wade recorded 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 QB sacks, and one pass breakup in 2022. 

Wade plays outside linebacker and is listed behind veteran starter JJ Weaver on the depth chart. He can also be utilized in other LB roles if necessary. Wade’s diverse traits along with upper-echelon athletic ability and size provide invaluable depth and are one of many aspects of his game that has the UK coaching staff excited for the future. 

Secondary

Nickel Alex Afari is similar to Keaten Wade by being able to play multiple positions and is also considered a future star. Listed at 6’2, 214, Afari is slated to play the nickel defender role but can also act as a fourth linebacker in certain situations. The “Medium” position in which he plays is one of vast responsibility and requires experience. Afari earned treasured reps as a true freshman last season. He played in all 13 games and earned three starts. 

Afari totaled 21 tackles including three for loss, one QB sack, and one QB hurry. His natural position is at the medium, but he can play corner or safety in emergency situations. 

Junior safety Zion Childress transferred from Texas State to Kentucky last year. His move to Lexington proved to be beneficial for the defender and the Wildcats. Childress played in all 13 games and finished the season with 34 tackles, one TFL, one QB sack, and one pass breakup. His physicality from the safety position was a positive occurrence following Jalen Geiger’s season-ending injury. 

Childress is a playmaker vs. the run and pass from the defense’s back third. He can play both safety spots and at the nickel if necessary. He’s an excitable and animated defender that brings a much-needed attitude to the Kentucky defense. Mark Stoops describes Childress’ vibe as the “Juice.” 

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston‘s development and presence in the Wildcats’ two-deep is a situation to monitor closely during the offseason. UK needs the sophomore from Michigan to be a solid contributor at the CB position. He played in 12 games a year ago and posted two tackles. 

Cornerback is a position of concern going into the 2023 season. With no clear-cut starters at this point, competition will be heated. At a minimum, coordinator Brad White will need Hairston to be a dependable rotational player. Hairston could compete for a starting role if he performs at a high level during fall camp. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Deone Walker is a star. But, he’s not the only second-year defender that has the UK coaching staff excited for 2023. Walker is joined by fellow sophomore defensive linemen Kahlil Saunders and Jamarius Dinkins as players to watch for this fall. Keaten Wade is the future at OLB. Zion Childress is the defender that brings the “Juice” and Maxwell Hairston needs to take the proverbial next step at corner. Alex Afari could also be yet another Ohio product that goes on to star in Lexington. There’s a great deal to be bullish about with this UK defense when discussing second-year contributors.