2023 Kentucky Position Previews: EDGE

Kentucky football fall camp is right around the corner. Before the Cats officially begin the 2023 season in August, KSR is taking a closer look at the roster and analyzing each position group. Personnel, storylines, questions, and one bold prediction will be included.

For defensive coordinator Brad White‘s position room, the Cats have one proven star and some talented young depth that could make a big splash on the field at any moment.

KSR Position Previews: Quarterback, Tailback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker

Personnel

Kentucky enters the 2023 season with five scholarship EDGE players. This is a young room that will require some second-year players to play in big moments this fall.

— J.J. Weaver (Redshirt Senior): The Louisville (Ky.) Moore product has played in 35 games with 16 starts and logged 1,297 defensive snaps in his Kentucky career. Weaver has done that despite battling injuries. The veteran with 14 non-sack tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 47 pressures, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his career can be an All-SEC player as long as he stays on the field.

— Keaten Wade (Sophomore): A former top-250 recruit out of Middle Tennessee, Wade played 91 snaps as Kentucky’s No. 3 EDGE last season. The blue-chipper will have a bigger role this season and will likely be Kentucky’s top option to play off-ball Sam when the defense gets into a true 3-4 base.

— Tyreese Fearbry (Redshirt Freshman): Another top-250 recruit entering his second year in the program, Fearbry played in only three games last season preserving his redshirt. The Pittsburgh native projects to be an edge rusher that can turn the corner. The youngster could carve out a sizable role in some of Kentucky’s pressure packages due to his athleticism.

— Noah Matthews (Redshirt Freshman): A surprise addition to the 2022 recruiting class, Matthews took a redshirt season last year only playing in four games. Matthews (6-5, 237) has intriguing physical traits and a high ceiling.

— Grant Godfrey (True Freshman): Godfrey was a solid four-star recruiting win in Metro Atlanta and has the athletic profile to contribute on special teams as a freshman. Playing inside the box could be a better fit, but Godfrey will begin his Kentucky career on the edge.

Projected starter

Last season, Kentucky chose to play big with both Jordan Wright (Sam) and J.J. Weaver (Jack) in the starting lineup. I do not believe we will see the Cats get that big again. Expect a hybrid safety to take over the Sam linebacker role. That leaves just one true starter at EDGE.

That spot belongs to J.J. Weaver who will be a third-year starter this fall. Behind him, UK will be working on building depth. But this position will go as Weaver goes.

One Big Question: Can J.J. Weaver stay on the field?

J.J. Weaver has been a very good player for Kentucky on the field. There are some limitations as a pass rusher, but the redshirt senior is a physical edge setter who has real value as a run defender. When UK is stuffing the run, Weaver usually has a hand in it.

There is no denying that the class of 2019 recruit is one of the best players on Kentucky’s roster. However, availability has been an issue.

As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Weaver tore his ACL on Thanksgiving Saturday, and that injury limited him in 2021. After a strong start in 2022, Weaver suffered an elbow injury that caused him to miss two games. Kentucky needs to have Weaver on the field.

If Weaver stays healthy, he will have a big season with high-level production becoming a true force in Kentucky’s front seven.

Key Storyline: Pass rush production

Kentucky finished the 2023 season ranked No. 113 in sack rate (4.6%). Deone Walker and Jordan Wright were the only two players to record more than 20 players. The Wildcats need better pass rush production.

That falls on the entire defense, but the EDGE spot needs to lead the way. Kentucky will need some more production from J.J. Weaver and the rest of the room when it’s time to pin the ears back and go get the quarterback. This is where one of the young players can make a big splash.

Tyreese Fearbry feels like the one class of 2022 signee to keep an eye on due to his athletic profile and ceiling as a rusher.

One Bold Prediction: J.J. Weaver will have an All-SEC season

Over the years, Kentucky has gotten some high-quality play from the Jack linebacker position. I’m expecting a big year from J.J. Weaver.

We’ve seen the veteran have some bright moments over a short period, but we haven’t seen that play out over a full season. I believe that changes in 2023. Weaver stays healthy, plays all 13 games, hits 70-plus tackles, 10-plus tackles for loss, a few sacks, and some forced takeaways. That will turn into an All-SEC selection and going off the board at the 2024 NFL Draft late on day two or early on day three.