DeAndre Square, right, with Jamin Davis. (Vicky Graff Photo)
He’s probably never got the full credit he deserves during his three years at Kentucky but linebacker DeAndre Square has been “Steady Eddie” for the Kentucky defense. He has played in 36 career games with 22 starts, including 10 in 2020 when he was third on the team in tackles with 60 and had four quarterback hurries and 2.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery.
His best game was against Mississippi State when he made nine tackles but against Florida, he had six tackles, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery that set up a Kentucky touchdown drive.
Kentucky linebacker coach Jon Sumrall has big expectations for Square, one of UK’s team captains, during his senior season.
“The guy everybody knows is DeAndre Square, a three-year starter who has been Steady Eddie with everything he has done,” Sumrall said Thursday on WPBK-FM.
“We have high expectations for him this coming season to take the next step and become the guy on defense to make big plays at big times. He has always been one of our most reliable and consistent players and a constant force in there for us. Now we need more.”
Square, who helped start the Michigan pipeline for UK football when he picked the Cats, could become a breakout star like Jamin Davis did last season. Before the season started UK was searching for a big playmaker at linebacker. Davis not only led the team in tackles but played so well he is now being projected by some as a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
“I think we have a lot of young guys ready to step in and see what they can do,” Sumrall said. “A year ago nobody was talking about Jamin having a season like he did.
“How do you replace a guy who a year ago was not even a household name in Kentucky? You do it the same way he did. Show up every day ready to step up, work your tail off and get excited.”
