Kentucky has 'bright future' at EDGE with Tyreese Fearbry, Keaten Wade

Kentucky’s 2022 signing class did a great job of addressing depth at EDGE. Both Tyreese Fearbry and Keaten Wade are top-250 prospects who can help the Wildcats very quickly.

Defensive coordinator and position coach Brad White is excited about what each blue-chipper is bringing to the table.

“They’re very complementary to each other,” White told reporters on Tuesday. “I think Keaten right now is arguably as sort of outside linebacker ready from a coverage aspect out of any outside linebacker that I’ve recruited since I’ve been here. He did that quite a bit in high school — even when we had him out at camp this summer — he picks up those little nuances of what we do in coverage so quickly. Probably a little bit rawer from a pass rush standpoint. I think he’s got real natural ability so it’ll come easy. But from just a pure pass rush standpoint it’ll be a lot of learning in that regard.

“He’ll [Tyreese Fearbry] be a little bit more technically proficient from a pass rush standpoint, but far more raw from when we ask those guys to drop in coverage and do different aspects of our defense.”

J.J. Weaver is set to return for his redshirt junior season in 2022, and expectations are high for the former four-star recruit out of Louisville (Ky.) Moore. The class of 2019 product has had to play nearly 500 snaps this season despite not being fully healthy as the outside linebacker is recovering from an ACL injury. Still, Weaver posted numbers this season — 34 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions.

After losing K.D. McDaniel to the transfer portal and potentially redshirt senior Jordan Wright to the NFL Draft, there will be playing opportunities available to each newcomer.

In Kentucky’s 3-4 scheme, Tyreese Fearbry could be better off playing the Jack position to the weak side of the formation where more is needed from a pass-rushing and disruption standpoint. Wade could plug in at Sam and give Kentucky some more size in a spot that is often required to play off the ball and set the edge to the perimeter.

Luckily, both players will be together to help each other through the growing pains.

“I hope you can hear it in my voice — the excitement that I have to bring those two in together, the future is really, really bright there,” said White.

Similar to how Kentucky used true freshman linebacker Trevin Wallace this season, the Wildcats should be able to find some special packages to get both Fearbry and Wade some looks in games next season. Depth is needed, and playmaking opportunities could be available.

Kentucky could still visit the transfer portal to address this position, but expect the two newest additions to get some burn as rookies next fall. There just appears to be too much talent in the pair to worry about redshirting.

“The future is bright,” said White.