Tyreese Fearbry is true X-factor for Kentucky defense

Kentucky enters the 2024 season with six scholarship outside linebackers on the roster. Half of those players have never played a snap of college football. That puts a fair amount of pressure on Kentucky’s upperclassmen. J.J. Weaver gives the Wildcats a proven starter but another player needs to step up.

Kentucky needs redshirt sophomore Tyreese Fearbry to be that player.

The former top-200 recruit out of Pittsburgh has played in 16 games over the last two seasons logging 153 defensive snaps with seven tackles and two pass breakups. Despite the inexperience, Fearbry is expected to play a big role after Keaten Wade entered the transfer portal and landed at Colorado.

In his first game seeing extended playing time, Tyreese Fearbry flashed as an edge rusher recording five pressure in 19 pass rushing snaps versus Clemson in the Gator Bowl, according to PFF data. That kind of highly productive edge rush has been something this defense has been missing. Kentucky’s coaching staff wants to see more consistency from Fearbry to make sure that the third-year player can reach his high ceiling.

“He’s had good days. He’s had days that he needs to improve. The big thing for him is consistency. He knows that,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said when asked about Fearbry on Thursday. “So much about what we do on this team, and what we do on this defense, is we talk in reality. We’re honest. We look in the mirror. I say, ok, is that good enough or is that not good enough? Am I consistently where I need to be? He’s still trying to gain that consistency because when he’s on, he’s a difference maker for us.”

During fall camp, Tyreese Fearbry has been working at both of Kentucky’s outside linebacker spots after playing mostly Sam last season. Kentucky will need the veteran to fill a big role and help upgrade the defense’s pass rush. However, the 10 other players on the field and the coaching staff must trust that Fearbry is going to do his job. The EDGE player is currently working on gaining that trust.

Tyreese Fearby might be the biggest X-factor on Kentucky’s football team in 2024.