Kentucky Looking to Lean on Depth, Experience of the Linebackers

Kentucky will be leaning heavily on the defensive line next season with determining their success on that side of the ball. As fall camp nears a close, Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White is feeling really good about the linebacker room, specifically the depth and experience they have at that position.

"I feel good about that room," White told media on Thursday. "We've talked about the depth and the level of experience we have in that room. We're gonna lean heavy on it." In talking about who exactly they'll be leaning on at that position, obviously there's JJ Weaver, D'Eryk Jackson, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Alex Afari, but one other in particular has really made strides in camp, one who White says is one of the players they will be leaning on. Daveren Rayner, a transfer from Northern Illinois who saw just a little bit of action last season.

"The biggest thing with Dave is, first of all, his body comp, trying to add muscle, add a little bit of weight just so you can withstand the riggers of an SEC season. I think he has, and we've talked about it - an understanding of our defense far superior to where he was at this point last year. So now, not only can he execute at a high level, but he understands when he makes a mistake." One of the more well-known players at the position, veteran Octavious Oxendine, has been progressing well after adding some weight lately. "You've seen the added weight show up," White said. "You've seen the strength that it brings, the power, the girth that it brings. He's put on weight, and so he's back to where he needs to be for him to function at a high level and where he was functioning way back before that injury in the LSU game in '21."

How are things progressing as a whole in camp? "I think the energy, the intensity is there. The way they go about their business is there. Gotta clean up some of small things and clean up some of the technical things. But I think we're right about where you should be at this point in camp." The linebacker position in particular seems like a bright spot for the defense, and the Wildcats will be leaning heavily on their production this season.