True freshmen Alex Afari and Keaten Wade going to have bigger roles next few games

Alex Afari, right, could have an even bigger role for the UK defense with J.J. Weaver injured. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops got to play some  younger players against Youngstown State to get them game experience but not nearly as many as he wanted to.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t completely pull away and you want to just get better. We’re just working on ourselves constantly,” Stoops said.  “There’s a good rotation in there, but probably not as many reps as we’d like.”

Two true freshmen who did get a lot of play on defense were linebacker Keaten Wade and defensive back Alex Afari.

With outside linebacker J.J. Weaver out at least this week and maybe longer with an elbow injury, Afari and Wade become very important players for UK.

Afari had five tackles against Youngstown State and now has 11 tackles, including four solo stops, in three games. He has a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack.

He could play Weaver’s linebacker position or be used as a fifth defensive back. He’s that versatile and talented.

“Alex has been playing that position (linebacker), but without getting overly complicated, that position is a nickel/SAM (strong side linebacker), so it is a matter of what we call it on first and second down,” Stoops said Monday.

“He has been playing that position. It is just a matter of whether we decide to go with a big guy or a defensive back.”

Wade has been really good, too. He has eight tackles in three games, including a quarterback sack. He also has one pass breakup.

“Keaten is one of those guys, he has a good understanding. He has a good feel for the game at that position,” Stoops said. “You have heard me talk through the years that there is a lot on that guy (outside linebacker) as well. He is one of those guys that has good instincts.”

“As he gets reps, he will get better and better and start producing the plays that some of our outside backers have over time. Right now, he is just really good and solid, and as he gets reps, and more confidence, he will get better and better.”