Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 33 Tomiwa Durojaiye

Wow. It’s almost here. We finally made it to the first week of Kentucky football practice. Before you know it, fans will be back at Kroger Field. The countdown to kickoff against Miami (Oh.) is only 33 days away. This year a true freshman will wear No. 33, Tomiwa Durojaiye.

About Durojaiye

Tomiwa Durojaiye is unlike most Kentucky Wildcats. A first-generation American, his parents emigrated from Nigeria to Delaware. Yes, Delaware. If you can find another Delaware native that’s ever played for Kentucky, I’d love to hear it. He’s actually one of two Delaware kids from the Cats’ 2022 recruiting class. Brad White also signed edge Noah Matthews.

Durojaiye played for one of the state’s top programs, Middletown. The defensive lineman played in three Class 3A State Championship Game, finally knocking down the door with a title win during his senior season. A two-time first team all-state selection, last fall he totaled 58 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He picked the Cats over Michigan, South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri, among others.

Something You Didn’t Know About Tomiwa Durojaiye

Durojaiye arrived on campus this spring and immediately went to work, not just on the field. Eager to get involved, when a volunteer opportunity arises, he’s one of the first to sign up. He was one of a handful of Wildcats that returned to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital when COVID restrictions loosened and now he’s a frequent visitor.

“A lot of these guys are fans, a part of the Big Blue Nation,” said Durojaiye. “We just want to interact with them and show them they’re family to us and we really appreciate them.”

2022 Forecast

When Durojaiye arrived for spring practice, JJ Weaver was the only healthy outside linebacker on scholarship. Brad White asked Tomiwa to learn the position to make sure the future All-SEC performer did not get overworked. That bought UK time to get three new freshmen edges on campus this summer: Matthews, Keaten Wade and Tyreese Fearbry. No. 33 will more than likely never line up at Jack linebacker. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder is better suited to play Josh Paschal‘s defensive end position with his hand in the dirt. We’ll learn if the skills he learned standing up this spring translate into Anwar Stewart’s meeting room this fall.