Trevin Wallace is the “Next” at Kentucky

The NFL Draft has been dominated by the SEC for many years now. In fact, the conference has produced the most professionals for sixteen consecutive seasons. That’s quite an accomplishment. It is also an indication of the nearly two-decade personnel advantage that the league has maintained over the rest of the Power-5. 

Each year there’s an athlete that bursts onto the draft scene after one exceptional season. 2024’s version could include Kentucky inside linebacker Trevin Wallace. Before we look ahead, let’s take a quick look back at Wallace as a prospect.

My Highest Evaluation, Ever

I’ve been evaluating prospective Wildcats for several years. At first, breaking down film was a hobby that I thoroughly loved. Later, my film study and projections were utilized on the UK Signing Day Shows. Today, I study tape for Kentucky Sports Radio. And yes, I still love it. 

I graded Trevin Wallace’s film as the most dynamic that I’d seen, ever. The Wayne County, Georgia product did it all for his team. He saw action at receiver, running back, quarterback, all linebacker spots, and was a kick/punt returner. 

I place tremendous value on position multiplicity. He was also a track star sprinter that also broke long jump records. Additionally, Wallace won the Georgia state weightlifting championship. He moved differently than his peers on the field. There was fluidity in his actions which were aided by a competitive nature that’s rare. His bursts were twitchy and his change of direction was purposeful. Wallace was also straight-line fast. In all, he was just different. 

Others noticed the same. Wallace was rated as a 4-star prospect and ranked as the nation’s 35^th overall prospect. He was a 4-year letter winner. The linebacker totaled 96 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception on defense during his senior season. The well-rounded football player also had 78 carries for 910 yards and caught 10 passes for 79 that year. His last high school game was his best outing after rushing for 382 yards and three touchdowns all while playing every snap at linebacker in that game. 

I was stationed close to Jesup, Georgia, and understand the talent and competition in that area. Posting those numbers was an incredible achievement. Signing Wallace was a major triumph for Mark Stoops.

Freshman Flashes 

Trevin Wallace flashed special and unique traits as a true freshman. He was simply too talented to keep off the field and starred in a backup role. The linebacker earned Freshman All-SEC honors after registering 32 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 QB sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup, and a QB hurry in 2021. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week after a 12 tackle, 2 TFL performance in his first start against Mississippi State. 

The play that truly welcomed the talented playmaker to the college football scene was when he scored a touchdown off a blocked field goal in Kentucky’s win over 9th-ranked Florida. The signs were there. So were his flashes which were brighter than others.

Sophomore Signs

Wallace’s sophomore season saw a more refined linebacker and growing team leader. He earned six starts and racked up 54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 QB sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 QB hurry. Playing behind and learning from DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones was a resourceful manner to better understand the position’s demands. It was also beneficial to be an understudy to two consummate team leaders. 

It can be said that Wallace flashed more as a true freshman than in his sophomore season. But, I saw consistency signs in 2022 which is more appreciated for future ramifications. Wallace proved to be an SEC starter-level defender with a ceiling that’s higher than others.  

What’s Next?

The obvious comparison is a Jamin Davis. The inside linebacker was a two-year backup before moving into a full-time starting job as a junior. Davis produced a team-leading 102 tackles in a shortened season. He was named All-SEC and All-American before being selected 19^th overall by the Washington Commanders. Davis’ one-year, highly productive season has parlayed into a successful career in professional football. 

Wallace and Davis have many similarities. Both are from the same area in South Georgia. They’re also elite athletes that were two-year backups prior to moving into a full-time starting role. Davis is listed as two inches taller than Wallace, but both have exceptional measurements for the position. Both are speedy defenders that excel against the run and pass. 

Could Wallace have a Jamin Davis-type breakout season? Yes, emphatically yes. But, there’s a great deal of work to be put in and production to be accomplished before that final comparison comes to fruition. Deone Walker is the odds-on favorite to be the star on the Kentucky defense in 2023. While I agree and think Walker is a generational talent, I can see Trevin Wallace sharing headlines with the defensive tackle. 

Trevin Wallace is the prototypical, modern-day inside linebacker. His 6’2, 241-pound frame is nearly perfect when constructing an SEC and NFL linebacker. Wallace can play downhill and has developed into becoming more comfortable with being a thumper against the run. That’s not easy for an athlete that formerly played in space. He’s learned to navigate traffic and shed blockers at the line of scrimmage in order to make the physical tackles necessary for the position. 

One of the many traits that make him special is his lateral, explosive speed. Wallace can fly sideline to sideline and make plays that cover the 53.3-yard width of the football field. Again, this is an invaluable trait for an inside linebacker in today’s east-west offensive world. 

The area of Wallace’s game that I feel is already next-level good is against the pass. He was tied with the team lead with two interceptions in 2022. Blessed with elite speed and fluid hips, Wallace can turn and run with would-be pass catchers in vertical and horizontal routes. Also, his eyes are trustworthy while reading opposing quarterbacks. He’s often in the right place at the right time doing the right thing vs. the throw. This may be a derivative of playing multiple positions at the high school level.

What Does All This Mean?

Buy Trevin Wallace stock. I am. The junior inside linebacker has a chance to be the “Next” defender that Mark Stoops develops into an All-SEC performer and pro. He has all the prerequisite traits, tools, and skills to be a breakout player in the conference and to lead the Kentucky defense in 2023. 

Health is always a priority, especially at his position. Wallace is joined by fellow inside linebacker D’Eryk Jackson to form a quality one-two punch. However, ILB depth can potentially be an issue. Martez Thrower is a starter-level defender that can spell both Wallace and Jackson. The Cats added Northern Illinois transfer Daveren Rayner who was a vital addition at a position of significant need. Inside linebackers take an absolute beating over the course of a 13-game schedule. Four will hopefully be enough. 

I was sky-high on Trevin Wallace the prospect coming out of Jesup, Georgia. I remain sky high on Trevin Wallace the Kentucky junior inside linebacker. The Wildcat defender has a chance to be special. 2023 could be his breakout season in the conference and nation. 

UK needs him to be the unquestionable leader on that side of the football. Expectations and responsibilities are vast for Wallace in 2023. Is he up to the challenge? We’ll see. The stage is certainly set for that to happen.