Safety Tyrell Ajian will quarterback Kentucky's secondary in 2022

Super-seniors greatly benefitted the Wildcats on their run to a 10-3 season and a victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. Kentucky received good news when safety Tyrell Ajian announced his return for a sixth year in Lexington. Ajian has been a staple in the Cats’ secondary after starting 21 games. The Mansfield, Ohio product recorded 46 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups this season. He will be called upon to lead a secondary that will be without longtime starting safety Yusuf Corker and nickel Davonte Robinson. Two veteran defenders will join Ajain to construct an experienced third level of the defense. 

Vito Tisdale missed the first six games in 2021 but made his presence known in the last seven contests. Tisdale is a physical, highly active defender with a propensity for creating havoc. This talent was on display against the Hawkeyes when he delivered a crushing third down tackle to thwart Iowa’s opening drive. Tisdale’s strengths often occur close to the line of scrimmage. Coach Brad White will have the choice of utilizing the versatile player at safety or nickel. Regardless of where, I expect the emotional leader to have a breakout 2022 season and rank high on the team’s tackle list. 

Jalen Geiger started his first game in Nashville against Vanderbilt. The 6’1, 200-pound safety registered a pick-six to open the second quarter against the Commodores which blew the game wide open. Geiger has been a consistent performer and will likely move into a full-time starter role in 2022. Geiger has proven to be a valuable, under the radar signee from Columbia, South Carolina. The safety’s specialty lies within his range against the pass. He’s proven to cover a great deal of turf in a hurry which fits well at free safety. 

A combination of Tisdale/Geiger/Ajian will likely be the Cats’ starters come opening day. Exactly at which positions will be worked out in spring practice and fall camp. However, there are depth concerns on the third level. Taj Dodson is listed as free safety and is an experienced defensive back that will be in the rotation. Behind Dodson, UK will have to identify additional contributors leading up to the opener against Miami. Former 4-star Joel Williams could factor. The 6’1, 205-pound defensive back has the tools to bolster the rotation. Rickey Hyatt Jr. will also have an opportunity to earn game snaps.

What Does All This Mean?

Yusuf Corker and Davonte Robinson were fantastic and won a bunch of football games while manning the third level of the Kentucky defense. Depth player Moe Douglass transferred to Kent State. With personnel losses adding up, Tyrell Ajian’s return was enormous. Ajian will captain a secondary that will be developing cornerback depth for the second consecutive season. He’s joined by veterans Vito Tisdale and Jalen Geiger. That trio will construct the starting back three and are all proven entities. Developing depth at safety/nickel will be a priority during the offseason.  Joel Williams’ spring practice is extremely important. Williams is a former 4-star that will have ample time to impress coaches and move up in the rotation. Taj Dodson is another safety that has played a lot of snaps. Redshirt freshman Rickey Hyatt Jr. will get a chance to earn playing time with a strong offseason. 

Cornerback depth remains to be an issue and will get plenty of coverage on KSR. Carrington Valentine is a consistent starter who finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles. He also contributed 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 QB sack, 5 pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry. Andru Phillips will get a long look during spring practice. The Cats could still dip into the Portal to add more cornerbacks while bringing along a collection of freshmen. 

With a plethora of unknowns at CB, having three veteran, starter-level players at safety/nickel is significant. Kentucky deploys a heavy zone defense. While not ideal, strong third level defenders can cover for a lack of depth at cornerback which was the case in 2021. There will be positional mix-matching going on during spring practice to identify a free and strong safety as well as a nickel. Tyrell Ajian’s return was extremely critical for Brad White’s defense. Ajian has played a great deal of meaningful football and will lead the Cat’s secondary. 

2021 super-seniors included center Luke Fortner, tight end Justin Rigg, nickel Davonte Robinson, and cornerback Quandre Mosely. All played vital roles in Kentucky’s second ten-win season in four years. The 2022 Cats will have multiple defenders that are running it back for another season in Lexington. Tyrell Ajian joins linebackers DeAndre Square, Jacquez Jones, and Jordan Wright to lead a Wildcat defense that’s finished in the SEC’s Top-5 in total defense for three consecutive seasons. As Adam Luckett so eloquently puts it, “Getting old and staying old” is the preferred method of roster management. Tyrell Ajian is a key piece to that equation.