2024 Kentucky Position Previews: Safety
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 shift to safety where Kentucky returns two multi-year starters and has improved the depth situation in Lexington.
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: 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: Linebacker | Alex Afari Jr. can help Kentucky become more matchup-driven on defense (KSR+ column)
Expected Starters
Zion Childress (6-0, 195, Super)
The former Texas State transfer is now in year three at Kentucky and is coming off a season where he led the defense in snaps while recording 59 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. Childress gives the Wildcats an experienced and versatile player. The veteran is now being used at nickel in certain subpackages for the defense.
Jordan Lovett (6-2, 205, RJr.)
The Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin product has started 21 games for Kentucky over the last two seasons and has already recorded five interceptions. Lovett hit some rough patches last season missing a couple of games with injury, but could be primed for a big season.
Kentucky’s Safety Room
Ty Bryant (6-0, 194, So.)
The Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product surprised many when he started three games as a true freshman and mostly held his own playing safety. Bryant will have a bigger role in year two and will be an important piece of this safety rotation.
Cam Dooley (6-2, 204, Fr.)
A blue-chip recruiting win out of Alabama, Dooley was a star basketball player who played for an undefeated state champ. Played quarterback, wide receiver, and safety. Scored 35 total touchdowns as a senior and logged 56 tackles. Likely needs some development time, but the raw athletic traits are obvious. Rookie has size, length, and speed.
Kristian Story (6-1, 213, RSr.)
The Alabama transfer was added to improve Kentucky’s depth situation at safety. Story set the Alabama high school state record for career touchdowns (175) and total yards (13,219) at Lanett (Ala.) High but settled in at safety in Tuscaloosa. After filling mostly a rotational role, Story should see more snaps as Kentucky’s No. 4 safety.
Avery Stuart (6-2, 196, RFr.)
Another four-star recruiting win for Kentucky at safety, Stuart redshirted during his first season on campus and likely will not see much time this fall. Depth piece who should have a role on special teams in year two.
Big Question: Will experience lead to better play?
Safety was considered a position of strength for the Kentucky football program entering the 2024 season. That did not play out on the field. Expected contributors Jordan Lovett and Jalen Geiger each missed multiple games, and Zion Childress had some up-and-down moments. The rocky year had much to do with Kentucky’s pass defense taking a big step backward.
Will more experience help that group this season?
Ty Bryant added some experience when he was forced to play last season and the addition of Alabama transfer Krisitan Story gives Kentucky a bonafide two-deep that the staff should feel comfortable with playing big snaps right away. Meanwhile, Childress and Lovett return with another year of experience.
The position again looks like a strong point for the Wildcats. Will the added depth and gained experience pay off this season? We will find out in September when Kentucky faces Carson Beck and Jaxson Dart.
Top Storyline: Versatility of Zion Childress
Zion Childress has played a lot of football in his career. The Houston area native is entering year five in college football and has already logged 2,503 defensive snaps in 40 career games. Kentucky is using its depth in the safety room to take advantage of some of the versatility that Childress can bring to the table.
The veteran is getting some snaps at nickel in Kentucky’s medium package allowing defensive coordinator Brad White to employ some three safety looks. The early returns have been very positive for Childress so far, and there is a belief that the super senior could make a big impact playing in the overhang.
Multiple has been a big buzzword for Kentucky during fall camp as the defense wants to have more built-in answers for opposing offenses on game days. The depth of the safety room allows the staff to experiment with different personnel groups.
Bold Prediction: Jordan Lovett leads Kentucky in interceptions
Jordan Lovett became a name to know in the 2021 high school recruiting cycle when the Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin defender recorded 15 interceptions as a junior. We’ve seen those ball skills translate to the SEC.
Lovett has recorded five career interceptions in 674 coverage snaps, according to PFF data. After dealing with injuries last season, a big season could be on the way.
Maxwell Hairston will have a hard time duplicating his five interceptions last season, but Lovett could benefit from a successful interior rush at safety. Tips and overthrows will occur, and that should allow Kentucky’s redshirt junior safety to record a handful of picks this season.
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