Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Vicky Graff Photo)
If Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White talks about his linebackers, he’s going to start with senior D’Eryk Jackson, Kentucky’s leading tackler in 2022 and 2023.
“D’Eryk has been here and he understands our system,” White said.
That understanding has been important even for Georgia transfer Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson, an all-American who played on two national championship teams for the Bulldogs.
“He has been very good for Pop in terms of being able to essentially translate our defense, helping him grow within because every time you change systems, you have to get adjusted and what you don’t want is a really good player that is playing slow because he is thinking,” White said.
“We’ve got to get to the point where all of the guys on defense that are playing, they sort of do it unconsciously so they can play fast and they just play ball like they know how. So to have D’Eryk there obviously Pop showing what he can do in this league and in college football in general, so excited to see that.”
White pointed out that Northern Illinois transfer Daveren Rayner “got better each and every game” last season.
“He was playing at a really good level for us last year. I think he has more command of the system this year,” White said.
Kentucky is also moving junior Alex Atari to a full-time linebacker spot instead of the hybrid position he’s played his first two years.
“You’ve got a guy like Alex Afari who can play inside now and outside, so he knows how to play, sort of, in that field apex and he also has a lot of skill that fits that inside backer position,” the UK defensive coordinator said. “I feel good that we’ve got solid old guys with a lot of reps in college football.
“And then you’ve got some young talent that are going to be able to learn from those guys. Fast, long, athletic guys which will also help on special teams.”
One Response
Afaris game reminds me alot of Wesley Woodyard. It’s good they are getting him closer to the action. He’s very fast to the ball and has a nose for the football. I would have blitz packages with afari childress and Dunn. We have speed at the linebacker position. Drop them back and have the speed rush in. I just hope when we get up by a couple touchdowns or 10 points that he doesn’t play that soft zone coverage. I don’t like that defense because your giving up yards. Even if it’s just 5 yard passes it only takes 2 of them to get a first down. I think we have the bodies this year to play more of a man to man scheme. With this much experience they should be able to run a man to man. We will see. Stoops is a defensive specialist. He just hasn’t had the personnel.