2023 Kentucky Position Previews: Safety

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.

At safety, Kentucky enters the season with three capable starters and that could give defensive coordinator Brad White a ton of flexibility when building out run fits, coverage schemes, and pressure packages.

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

Personnel

Kentucky enters the season with six scholarship safeties on the roster and what should be some clearly defined roles in Frank Buffano’s position room.

— Jalen Geiger (Redshirt Senior): After playing 329 snaps in 2021, Geiger opened the season as Kentucky’s starting free safety. Unfortunately, the Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley product was lost for the season in Week 3. The veteran has recovered from a knee injury and should be considered a co-starter at safety.

— Zion Childress (Senior): The Texas State transfer played 347 snaps in his first season at Kentucky and was one of the top players on the defense by the end of the season. Coaches gushed about the Houston native during spring practice, and all signs point to a big year from Childress at strong safety.

— Jordan Lovett (Redshirt Sophomore): Lovett replaced Geiger in the starting lineup and played some good football for Kentucky as a redshirt freshman. The Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin product finished the season with 62 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and two interceptions. He has All-SEC potential.

— Alex Afari (Sophomore): A blue-chip recruiting win out of Metro Cincinnati, Afari played the medium Nickel/Sam role for Kentucky last season and had some bright moments. The sophomore is a projected starter that will play a key role as Kentucky rebuilds at outside linebacker.

— Jaremiah Anglin Jr. (True Freshman): Kentucky recorded a top-500 recruiting win in Central Florida by adding Anglin. The coverage safety with 28 passes defended and six forced fumbles as a senior at Lake Wales (Fla.) High can give the secondary some much-needed playmaking but a redshirt season could be required first.

— Ty Bryant (True Freshman): The legacy recruit essentially took a grayshirt last season by taking advantage of a COVID-19 year and leading Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass to program’s first-ever state title. Bryant was running with the twos during spring practice and could carve out a role on special teams in year one.

Projected starters

Jordan Lovett has the free safety spot locked down after a strong performance as a redshirt freshman. Zion Childress seized control of the strong safety spot during spring practice. Alex Afari is slated to have a big role in the box at Sam.

However, Jalen Geiger should be considered a third starter. The veteran has spent time at nickel, strong safety, and free safety during his career at Kentucky. He will be a very valuable asset for this defense.

One Big Question: Does a star emerge at safety?

Due to the returning three players with starting experience along with Alex Afari at Nickel/Sam, Kentucky’s safety room has a high floor. There are a handful of good football players in this room that will be able to play winning football.

But are there any stars?

Jordan Lovett oozes with potential thanks to great closing speed and ball skills that flashed in the prep ranks and late last year. Add in his age, and there is a chance he can become Kentucky’s next star safety. Zion Childress flashed great instincts during his first year in the SEC and that could help the defense produce more takeaways. Jalen Geiger is Mr. Reliable who can provide solid play at three positions.

There is no denying the quality at safety. However, will any player level up to become a difference-maker? We will find out soon.

Key Storyline: Snap count distribution

Kentucky essentially has four starters at safety. How does the coaching staff get each of these players playing time?

Alex Afari, Zion Childress, Jalen Geiger, and Jordan Lovett are clearly four of Kentucky’s top-11 players on defense. Defensive coordinator Brad White must find roles for each. Getting Jalen Geiger some looks at nickel might be the easiest solution. There might even be more dime looks to get the safeties on the field.

This is a good problem to have.

One Bold Prediction: Safety room produces 5+ interceptions

Kentucky’s safety room has had issues producing takeaways. Over the last two seasons, Kentucky has only gotten three combined interceptions from this room. That changes in 2023.

Zion Childress and Jordan Lovett can be Kentucky’s best ballhawk duo at safety in quite some time. With some help from Alex Afari and Jalen Geiger, we will see a takeaways uptick as Kentucky’s safety room produces at least five interceptions this fall.