Kentucky Preseason Depth Chart Projection: Defense

Brad White is now in year six as the defensive coordinator at Kentucky and the 2024 unit has a chance to become the 41-year-old coach’s best. The Wildcats return seven of nine players who played at least 500 defensive snaps last season and get back eight more who played over 200 snaps. But the program did not sit pat.

The Wildcats added three transfers to the defensive roster and a post-spring addition is currently battling for a starting spot at cornerback. Despite some recent injury losses on the defensive line, the pieces are in place for this defense to play some excellent football this fall.

KSR’s preseason two-deep projection is taking a swing at what the first depth chart of the season will look like in Week 1.

Kentucky Preseason Depth Chart Projection: Offense

Kentucky Depth Chart: Defense

Nose Tackle

1. Keeshawn Silver (6-4, 336, Redshirt Junior)
2. Kendrick Gilbert (6-5, 275, Redshirt Freshman)

Keeshawn Silver is back for year two at Kentucky and looks like a player who is ready to take a jump forward. The former North Carolina will likely be asked to increase his total snap count (291) following the loss of Josaih Hayes to injury. Former four-star recruit Kendrick Gilbert has emerged during fall camp and is generating some positive reviews.

Defensive Tackle

1. Deone Walker (6-6, 345, Junior)
2. Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 291, Redshirt Junior)

Deone Walker is Kentucky’s best player and a future first-round draft pick. The Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech product will be used in a multitude of alignments. Kahlil Saunders will be expected to play a big role in year four. The Alabama native has played in 28 games during his Kentucky career. Jerod Smith II is a younger player who could make a push for playing time.

Defensive End

1. Tre’vonn Rybka (6-4, 284, Redshirt Senior)
2. Octavious Oxendine (6-1, 278, Redshirt Senior)

Kentucky essentially has a pair of co-starters at their 3-4 defensive end spot as Tre’vonn Rybka and Octavious Oxendine are expected to split time. Rybka is coming off his best season to date and Oxendine has flashed some pass-rushing chops at various points throughout his career. The Wildcats should have a good one-two punch at this position.

EDGE

1. J.J. Weaver (6-5, 255, Super)
2. Tyreese Fearbry (6-5, 242. Redshirt Sophomore)

J.J. Weaver is back for one final ride in a blue uniform and the Louisville (Ky.) Moore product will likely enter the top five of Kentucky’s all-time sack rankings this season. Tyreese Fearbry brings a unique pass-rushing skill set and is a big wild card on this team. The depth behind these two at true outside linebacker is concerning.

Off-Ball Linebacker

1. D’Eryk Jackson (6-1, 244, Redshirt Senior)
2. Pop Dumas-Johnson (6-1, 245, Senior)
3. Daveren Rayner (6-2, 217, Super)
4. Alex Afari Jr. (6-2, 222, Junior)

D’Eryk Jackson is back in the middle after leading Kentucky in tackles the last two seasons and will be joined by Georgia transfer Pop Dumas-Johnson. The All-American in 2022 has high expectations and gives the Wildcats some more star power. Daveren Rayner is a high-floor backup and Alex Afari Jr. is making a position change. The former top-250 recruit could give Kentucky more athleticism at the position in subpackages.

Cornerback

1. Maxwell Hairston (6-1, 186, Redshirt Junior)
2. Jantzen Dunn (6-0, 185, Redshirt Junior)
3. DJ Waller Jr. (6-3, 202, Sophomore)
4. JQ Hardaway (6-3, 191, Junior)

Maxwell Hairston returns after an All-SEC season and gives Kentucky some legitimate star power in the secondary but behind him is one of the most competitive position battles on the team. Former Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn had a big spring and is currently holding down a starting spot. Michigan transfer DJ Waller Jr. could end up taking that spot. JQ Hardaway appears to have made some strides after struggling while playing over 300 snaps last season. The quality of depth at this position is much improved.

Safety

1. Zion Childress (6-0, 195, Super)
2. Jordan Lovett (6-2, 205, Redshirt Junior)
3. Ty Bryant (6-0, 194, Sophomore)
4. Kristian Story (6-1, 213, Redshirt Senior)

Zion Childress is now in year three at Kentucky after leading the defense in snaps (790) last season. Jordan Lovett has started 21 games over the last two seasons with some impressive ball production (five interceptions and three pass breakups in 674 coverage snaps, according to PFF data). Ty Bryant was a surprise contributor and Alabama transfer Kristian Story upgraded the depth in the room.

Sam/Nickel

1. Alex Afari Jr. (6-2, 222, Junior)
2. Zion Childress (6-0, 195, Super)
3. Jantzen Dunn (6-0, 185, Redshirt Junior)

We are still unsure how Kentucky will handle the Sam overhang spot but we do know that the medium position will be counted on to play a big role and can help prevent lack of depth at outside linebacker from becoming a problem. Alex Afari Jr. and Zion Childress were spotted playing snaps at the position in open practice. Jantzen Dunn got some extended run at nickel at the end of 2023. Kentucky has some options.