2024 Kentucky Position Previews: Linebacker

Kentucky’s fall camp is off and running. Before the Cats officially begin the 2024 season, KSR is taking a closer look at the roster and analyzing each position group. Personnel, storylines, questions, and one bold prediction will be included.

Now we move to off-ball linebacker where Kentucky has some bonafide star power.

Position Preview: Quarterback | Flipped QB room has unknown ceiling but should provide safe floor for offense (KSR+ column)

Position Preview: Running Back | Kentucky has earned benefit of the doubt at tailback but there is much to prove (KSR+ column)

Position Preview: Wide Receiver | Wide receiver play will determine Kentucky’s offensive ceiling (KSR+ column)

Position Preview: Tight End

Position Preview: Offensive Line | Big Blue Wall might not fully return in 2024 but could take a massive step in the right direction (KSR+ column)

Position Preview: Defensive Line | Defensive line veterans will determine Kentucky’s ceiling (KSR+ column)

Position Preview: EDGE

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Expected Starters

Pop Dumas-Johnson (6-1, 245, Sr.)

The Georgia transfer was an All-American selection as a true sophomore in 2022 and brings 24 career starts with 126 tackles and 17 tackles for loss to Lexington. Dumas-Johnson enters the season as one of the best off-ball linebackers in college football and gives the Kentucky defense some more high-end talent.

D’Eryk Jackson (6-1, 244, RSr.)

Jackson is now a three-year starter who has led Kentucky in tackles the last two seasons. The Georgia native might be the most underrated defender in the SEC with 178 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and four interceptions. The fifth-year player is good enough to push for all-conference honors this season.

Kentucky’s Linebacker Room

Alex Afari Jr. (6-2, 222, Jr.)

The former four-star recruit out of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West is now spending time at inside linebacker and at medium in Kentucky’s hybrid Sam position. Afari gives defensive coordinator Brad White some versatility and provides some needed depth in the box. Expect the third-year player to play a big role in this defense.

Jayvant Brown (6-0, 225, So.)

The South Florida native played only special teams in year one and is looking to earn a spot with Kentucky’s second unit as a true sophomore. Brown was a surprising addition to the 2023 class and will again have a big role in the kicking game.

Grant Godfrey (6-3, 225, RFr.)

A former four-star recruit out of Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett missed last season with an injury and is now switching to a new position at off-ball linebacker. Godfrey is competing for snaps with Kentucky’s second unit and will be expected to play a big role in both kickoff and punt coverage.

Quintavion Norman (6-3, 210, Fr.)

The Covington (Ga.) Newton was headed to junior college before a late offer from Kentucky. Norman’s high school tape showed a prospect that strikes, gets off blocks, and plays with excellent effort. A redshirt year will probably be needed for this development prospect.

Daveren Rayner (6-2, 217, Super)

The Northern Illinois transfer returns for year two at Kentucky after recording 30 tackles and three tackles for loss in 213 defensive snaps last season. Rayner has played over 1,200 snaps in 35 career games with 126 total tackles. The veteran will give the Wildcats some high-quality depth behind Dumas-Johnson and Jackson.

Antwan Smith (6-3, 205, Fr.)

A three-star recruit out of Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake, Smith is a development prospect with great speed (10.65 in 100m). The class of 2024 prospect is brand new to off-ball linebacker and will need some time to adjust to the position.

Devin Smith (6-0, 221, Fr.)

The Brunswick (Ga.) High product picked Kentucky over LSU and recorded 62 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks as a senior. Smith showed range, physicality, and closing speed in high school. Run-and-hit linebacker who can strike. Another likely redshirt candidate.

Jaden Smith (6-3, 206, Fr.)

The Michigan signee was released from his national letter of intent in February and quickly signed with Kentucky. A tweener defender, Smith has coverage potential due to his movement skills, flashes some advanced ability as an off-ball pass rusher, and has shown some instincts and toughness inside the box. It would not be a surprise to see the top-500 recruit follow a similar path to Afari starting as a stand-up outside linebacker/safety and eventually sliding to Will linebacker.

Big Question: How good can the starting duo become?

Pop Dumas-Johnson was an All-American in 2022. D’Eryk Jackson played at an All-SEC level in 2023. Does Kentucky have the best off-ball linebacker duo in college football? It’s a fair question to ask.

The defensive line will get a lot of attention and many people are high on cornerback Maxwell Hairston, but Mike Stoops‘ linebacker room has some clear star power. If Dumas-Johnson and Jackson can stay healthy, this unit has a chance to be very good and make some splash plays throughout the season.

This kind of star power at linebacker could mean great things playing behind a stout defensive line.

Top Storyline: Alex Afari’s position switch

Perhaps the biggest news out of SEC Media Days was that Kentucky planned to cross-train Alex Afari Jr. at off-ball linebacker. The junior has added some significant weight in the offseason and seems committed to playing inside the box for Kentucky this season.

How good can the junior be at this position?

Afari will give Kentucky some additional depth at a position that can have some attrition, but this could be more of a play for 2025. The Wildcats are scheduled to lose Pop Dumas-Johnson, D’Eryk Jackson, and Daveren Rayner after this season. Afari would give the room a reliable veteran next season. Kentucky needs Afari to become a dependable player at off-ball linebacker in the present and the future.

Bold Prediction: Pop Dumas-Johnson and D’Eryk Jackson each receive All-SEC honors

Kentucky has legit star power at all three levels of the defense in 2024, but off-ball linebacker is arguably the most well-rounded group. The Wildcats have some reliable depth and two top-of-the-line starters.

Pop Dumas-Johnson will be given another chance to prove that he is one of the best linebackers in college football and D’Eryk Jackson should start to receive some more national recognition for the job he’s done in the middle of Kentucky’s defense.

The Wildcats have two very good starting linebackers and that will be noticeable all season.