Simplicity Led to Mixed Results from Kentucky Defense on Saturday

Multiplicity is the one overriding factor that best describes Brad White’s defenses at Kentucky. The coordinator has led the Wildcats to three consecutive Top-5 finishes in the SEC. Varying schemes were not the goal of Saturday’s Blue-White Game, which led to an incomplete analysis of the 2022 defense. Additionally, starters Octavious Oxendine and Jordan Wright did not participate. That left White with a field full of moving parts and an abundance of depth players.

Let’s take a deeper dive. 

Defensive Line

Coach Anwar Stewart has a room packed with capable defensive linemen. DL depth hasn’t been a luxury that UK has enjoyed in the recent past. It could be a front-seven strength in 2022. Oxendine is the leader of the room and was a non-participant in the spring game. NFL departures may have some concerned about the Kentucky front; I don’t fall into that category. 

Depth will play a factor, which will give the ‘Cats fresh legs in the fourth quarter. DE Darrian Henry-Young made his blue debut. He, Sam Anaele, and Tre’Vonn Rybka repped on the edge. 6’5, 300-pound DT Khalil Saunders stood out due to his length. Jamarius Dinkins, Josiah Hayes, and Justin Rogers manned the interior. While none flashed, there is optimism in the room. Kentucky has recruited well along the defensive front. It’s time for those signees to become impactful defenders. 

Linebackers

Linebacker is the strength of the defense. This especially applies to the inside defenders. Veterans DeAndre Square and Jaquez Jones are the starters with D’Eryk Jackson (Did not play), Martez Thrower, and Trevin Wallace supplying quality depth. Five starter-level ILBs are a bonus. This group was moved all over the field during the spring game which limited their big-play capability. 

The Edge linebacker corps was razor-thin on Saturday.

6’5, 245-pound junior JJ Weaver played sparingly and is the future star of the defense. Jordan Wright’s decision to return for an extra year of eligibility gives the ‘Cats the comfort of playing both OLBs on the field at the same time in the fall. Wright did not participate in the scrimmage. Early enrollee Tomiwa Durojaiye earned snaps. Safety/Nickel Joel Williams also manned the outside. This group will look different in the fall. The Weaver/Wright combo will be counted on to be the defense’s primary pass rushers and to produce explosives. 

Secondary

All eyes were on the cornerbacks on Saturday. Carrington Valentine is a returning starter. Kentucky coaches are high on his progress. Andru Phillips takes over after losing Quandre Mosely to graduation and Cedrick Dort’s transfer to Wisconsin. Word from camp is that Phillips has risen to the challenge. However, there are still CB depth concerns. This issue plagued the ‘Cats last season and also influenced play calls. A transfer portal acquisition may occur. There really wasn’t an accurate measurement to evaluate the cornerbacks given the offensive advantage due to simplistic schemes. 

UK is veteran at safety behind starters Tyrell Ajian and Jalen Geiger. But, redshirt freshman Jordan Lovett stole the show. The 6’2, 200-pound defensive back from Radcliff, KY amassed nine tackles, a forced fumble and QB hurry to go along with two pass breakups. His ascension looms large and provides much-needed depth in the back third. Experienced safety Taj Dodson did not participate on Saturday but is projected to be a go for fall camp. Nickel Joel Williams played some linebacker. Following Vito Tisdale’s injury, Williams is a vital piece of the equation going forward. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Not really much at all. The defense was placed in a tough spot in Saturday’s scrimmage. Tackling wasn’t sharp at times but that can be chalked up to players being coached to take care of their teammates in practice. Do I think that the UK defense will again be an upper-level SEC unit? Yes, I do. That’s due to my confidence in Brad White. 

The offense’s top offseason priority is to protect Will Levis. The defense’s number one goal is to influence opposing passers either by scheme or personnel. UK has lost defensive players to the NFL. This year is no exception. DE Josh Paschal, NT Marquan McCall, safety Yusuf Corker, and CB Quandre Mosely will stand by the phone at the end of the month. Replacing pros through player development and situational portal additions has been UK’s approach. We’ll see what happens in the offseason. The spring game was a push.