Kentucky Depth Chart: How the defense sits heading into 2022

The offense has very high expectations in 2022 as that side of the ball has quality depth at nearly every position. The defense is working to get to that point.

Defensive coordinator Brad White is entering his fifth season with the program and his fourth as the play-caller. Kentucky is going through a bit of a transition as it is rebuilding the secondary and must find some playmaking on the defensive line.

The roster construction is not done for this unit as some additions from the portal need to happen before fall camp arrives in August. However, this side of the ball has a track record under White and has been able to put some good units on the field.

After filling out an offensive post-spring depth chart, we’re doing the same on defense. Kentucky will be heavily dependent on the linebackers to produce at a high rate in 2022.

Nose tackle

1. Justin Rogers (6-3, 336, Jr.)
2. Josaih Hayes (6-3, 314, Jr.)
3. Jamarius Dinkins (6-5, 255 RFr.)

As expected, both Josaih Hayes and Justin Rogers are platooning at nose. The former four-star recruits should be considered co-starters at the moment. Meanwhile, Jamarius Dinkins has made a position switch and is giving the defense a different body type at the zero technique.

Boundary tackle

1. Octavious Oxendine (6-1, 318, RSo.)
2. Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 270, RFr.)
3. Sam Anaele (6-4, 275, RSo.)

Expectations are high in year three for Octavious Oxendine, but the Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin product was not available for contact during practice. That gave redshirt freshman Khalil Saunders a ton of chances for reps after flashing last season. Elsewhere, Sam Anaele showed real growth and is a player that could help the defense next season.

Field end

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

Josh Paschal leaves monster shoes to fill after playing 653 snaps last season. Tre’vonn Rybka is next up, and the Middle Tennessee native has a high ceiling. Ohio State transfer Darrion Henry-Young has joined the team, and the former blue-chip recruit has some pass rush value thanks to his athletic traits.

Edge

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

Jordan Wright was unavailable during spring practice, but the expectations are high for the super senior from South Florida. Meanwhile, J.J. Weaver is fully recovered from the ACL injury and is now playing without a brace. The outside linebacker unit could provide some big playmaking for the defense.

Will linebacker

1. DeAndre Square (6-1, 224, Super)
2. Trevin Wallace (6-2, 220, So.)
3. Martez Thrower (6-2, 212, So.)

DeAndre Square is the clear top player in the linebacker room as a super senior. The Detroit Cass Tech product has started 35 consecutive games for the defense. Meanwhile, Trevin Wallace remains his top backup, and the blue-chipper should have a bigger role this year. The ceiling remains high for Martez Thrower as a player that can help Kentucky at linebacker.

Mike linebacker

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

Jacquez Jones still looks the part and should give Kentucky some solid play at Mike linebacker. D’Eryk Jackson was another player that was limited during spring practice, but the South Georgia product still has a chance to turn into a very good SEC starter.

Medium (Nickel/Sam)

1. Joel Williams (6-1, 204, Jr.)

Thanks to the loss of Vito Tisdale, Kentucky simply has zero depth at this hybrid position. The loss creates a great chance for Joel Williams who was an intriguing recruit out of Louisiana. In the transfer portal, Kentucky will likely need to address this position to add some depth.

Field cornerback

1. Andru Phillips (5-11, 180, RSo.)
2. Maxwell Hairston (6-1, 170, RFr.)

Andru Phillips appeared to make serious strides during spring practice and could be a guy that Kentucky leans on heavily this season. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Maxwell Hairston seems to be the next guy at the position. Adding a player from the portal is still a top priority at cornerback.

Boundary cornerback

1. Carrington Valentine (6-0, 200, Jr.)
2. Elijah Reed (6-3, 185, Fr.)

Carrington Valentine needs to take a big jump forward as a junior and second-year starter in 2022. Kentucky has to have the Cincinnati Moeller product turn into a high-quality starter. Elijah Reed was an early enrollee and the Louisville (Ky.) Pleasure Ridge Park product has great positional size with a high ceiling. However, Valentine will once again be called upon to have a heavy snap count workload.

Free safety

1. Jalen Geiger (6-1, 200, RJr.)
2. Jordan Lovett (6-2, 195, RFr.)

Yusuf Corker leaves big shoes to fill, and Jalen Geiger is ready to step into a starting role in year four with the program. The veteran possesses some positional versatility and appears to be a player that the coaching staff can trust. Jordan Lovett was the biggest surprise of the spring and the youngster has a unique skill set that can help Kentucky this season.

Strong safety

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

Tyrell Ajian is back and has a starting spot secured as one of Kentucky’s top coverage players. However, Taj Dodson missed spring practice but should be available for fall camp. The Wildcats feel good about this group due to the heavy veteran presence.

Moving forward

Ever since White arrived on campus, Kentucky has found its groove on defense. The Wildcats were a top-15 unit in 2018 and have put together three consecutive top-40 units since that breakthrough season. Throughout, Kentucky has been a zone-heavy team that has been good against the run and highly productive when the pass rush is humming.

This year, that pass rush must really take a step forward, and the unit must stay somewhat healthy after fighting the injury bug all last season. A couple of key adds in the secondary combined with an improved pass rush could turn this defense into a group that could make some real noise.

This is still an unfinished product.