Zion Childress (11) is moving from the Sun Belt to the SEC to play for Kentucky. (Photo by Twitter)
Kentucky obviously felt it still needed help in its secondary for next season and went interesting directions in the transfer portal.
First, UK landed Ole Miss senior Keidron Smith, a veteran of Southeastern Conference play and proven playmaker for the Rebels. Kentucky certainly got a similar boost in the 2021 season when Ole Miss linebacker Jacquez Jones transferred to UK, became a starter and is staying now for a super senior season.
Second, Kentucky turned to Division II transfer Jordan Robinson of Livingstone College. He was a receiver through his high school junior season and was injured about half the season. His senior year he moved to the secondary but COVID limited his team to six games and reduced his college options.
Now the Cats have added Texas State safety Zion Childress via the transfer portal after he also visited Washington and Texas Christian. He announced his transfer decision on Twitter Friday and will have three years of eligibility.
He played 12 games last season with eight starts and had 74 tackles, third best on the team. He also had five pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception. As a freshman in 2020, the 6-0, 195-pound Childress played in 12 games with six starts and had 61 tackles — including a career best nine tackles against BYU.
“We are excited to have Zion be a part of our program,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said in a release from UK. “He played two years at Texas State and he was a proven defensive starter in the Sun Belt Conference. He has the chance to come in and really contribute to our team because he’s so versatile. He can play multiple spots on our defense and with his background of being a former quarterback, he really understands the game. He’s young, athletic and talented, and we can’t wait to help develop him here.”
Childress also attracted interest from Missouri, Kanas, UNVL, Georgia State and UNLV.
