Tennessee Edge Rusher Steven Soles Plans to Showcase his Versatility at Kentucky

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Kentucky lost two players earlier this week it thought it might add to the football roster but got the good mojo rolling again Tuesday when 6-1, 215-pound edge rusher Steven Soles of Powell, Tenn., announced his verbal commitment to the Wildcats.

He had offers from South Carolina, Alabama, Miami, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State and others. He was offered by Kentucky in late April.

Soles made his commitment on the No Playbook podcast and explained why he liked the Wildcats and defensive coordinator Brad White.

“A top three defense in the country. The versatility. I will be able to showcase in their defense, not only having a stigma of being an edge rusher. He (linebacker coach Mike Stoops) showed me some statistics and former people that he has coached that were similar with my height and size that did exactly what I can do, rush the passer excellently and just be a great football player on the field in open space, covering, big hits, causing trouble on defense, in general,” Soles said.

“Mike Stoops just laid it out perfectly for me. I really couldn’t say no to that type of offer.”

247Sports Composite has Soles ranked as the nation’s No. 55 edge rusher and his commitment moved UK’s 2024 recruiting class up five positions to 40th overall.

Soles, a three-star prospect, told KnoxNews.com that he could play middle linebacker or outside linebacker as well as be an edge rusher — and that appealed to him.

“The environment, the mindset and the culture was big on defense,” Soles told KnoxNews.com. “Really just them opening my eyes to being more versatile as I go through college and prepare for the league.”

Soles had 135 tackles, including 25 tackles for loss and 16 sacks, last year along with 47 quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.

Soles helped Powell win the program’s first state championship in 2021.