Keaten Wade said a prayer for JJ Weaver and then knew he had to fill his spot

True freshman linebacker Keaton Wade knows with junior linebacker JJ Weaver out with an elbow injury that he’ll likely have to do even more. (Vicky Graff Photo)

One thought entered freshman linebacker Keaten Wade’s mind when he saw junior starting linebacker JJ Weaver go down with an elbow injury against Youngstown State Saturday.

“I just thought next man up. Just step up and try to fill his spot,” said Wade after Saturday’s 31-0 win. “I just gave a little prayer up to him.”

Wade, a four-star recruit from Spring Hill, Tenn., has played in all three games this year and has two solo tackles, six assists, one pass breakup and one tackle for loss. He had three assists against Youngstown State.

“I just try to think to make a play any way that I can. I have been trying to play hard and play aggressive and do my job,” Wade said. “I felt I made some good plays (Saturday) and good reads but I also need to go in the film room and fix my mistakes. I felt I did a pretty good job out there.”

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said after Saturday’s game he didn’t think Weaver’s injury would keep him out all season but was uncertain when he might return.

“I feel like I just try to make a play so I can put my name out there, so I was trying to follow the ball wherever I go on the field. I know when I’m making plays it boosts my confidence and just the overall team’s confidence,” Wade said.

He said early playing time has been “very important” and his goal has been to be a “contributor” to help the team win any way he can.

Defensive coordinator Brad White has consistently praised Wade but the freshman linebacker said White’s defense is not easy to learn.

“Coach White asks a lot of us. It has been good trying to figure out plays and adjusting to checks,” Wade said. “I feel pretty good out there. Just need to get used to all the plays and schemes and play calls he has.”

Kentucky’s offense struggled early against Youngstown State but Wade said senior linebacker DeAndre Square told them not to worry about the offense. Instead, he told the defense to worry about doing its job.

“We were just saying on the sidelines we don’t need to worry about the offense, we just need to worry about ourselves. They’re working out their kinks and things like that so we just have to focus on ourselves, on our ball,” Wade said.

The more emotion Wade has, the better he plays.

“I just got to really flip a switch when on the field. I feel like that’s what I try to do because I am nice and polite off the field but when you are on the field you’ve got to focus on what you’ve got to focus on,” Wade said.