Alex Afari (Vicky Graff Photo)
He’s not one of the name’s prominently mentioned on why the Kentucky defense could be special this season but junior Alex Afari has 70 career tackles, has played in 26 games the last two years and made 15 consecutive starts while playing over 800 career snaps.
He was a four-star recruit out of Lakota West High School in Cincinnati and is moving from the hybrid nickel role to more of a full-time linebacker spot this season.
“I feel like it’s getting me closer to the ball. It will be a good benefit to the team and for me to just be around the ball more. It’s gonna be a good good day for us,” Afari said.
Afari understands his versatility has kept him from locking down one spot but believes that has made him a better player because he has played multiple positions.
“I have a lot of experience everywhere,” he said. “Every position is crucial. I’ve improved my speed. I think I am a great leader who can help the young guys. I feel like I should always be around the ball and I am a big hitter. My body has changed since I got here. I’ve grown as a player. My mindset is different.”
Afari said the position change was mutual decision by him and UK defensive coordinator Brad White. It’s also a move Afari believes could enhance his chances of playing in the NFL.
“He (White) has seen players like me, so he just felt like that was the best option. I feel like that’s something I wanted to do as well,” Afari, who has increased his weight to 222 pounds, said. “I feel like that’s gonna benefit me in the future at the next level.”
Afari likes the hype the UK defense is being given and how it could be one of the best defenses in the Southeastern Conference.
“We got a lot a lot of good players returning players, a lot of players with a lot experience. We got young guys as well who can really play,” Afari said.
Who is the best player on UK’s defense that will feature likely first-round draft pick Deone Walker, a lineman, and potential first-round pick Maxwell Hairston, a cornerback?
“I think it’s me but I might be biased,” Afari laughed and said. “Actually, I feel like everybody would say themselves but that’s what will make us so good.”
Afari has had a different journey than most SEC football players who aspire to play in the NFL. He was born in Italy, and at age 4 moved to Ghana, his mother’s home country where he stayed with his grandmother and aunt. He arrived in the United States in 2012 wanting to play soccer, not American football.
He recalled at UK’s Media Day that he did not look football initially and wanted to quit. He stayed with it and played tight end and offensive line because of his size before moving to running back and then defensive end before finally moving to the secondary as a high school sophomore.
White appreciates what Afari has already done but is also already looking forward to 2025 after UK loses senior linebackers D’Eryk Jackson, Jamon Dumas-Johnson and JJ Weaver off this year’s team.
“He can use this year to gain confidence that he’ll be the leader at that position next year. We want him to have the confidence to be that leader next year and this way he can learn from these guys ,” White said. “We have a lot of young talent at that position and I really believe he can be the guy that leads that group and shows them a lot of things.”
One Response
Afari is always were the ball is at. He has a great nose for the football. We definitely need to get some linebackers in the portal after the year is over. If everyone comes back and doesn’t transfer which is impossible nowadays we will be extremely young at the linebacker position next year. Our defensive line could take some hits too. Losing Walker will be huge. Hopefully Hayes and Henry Young come back for their last year and don’t "retire" from football. They will start on next year’s line. The player to keep a eye on is Silver. A former 5 star lineman who I think builds off last year and has a massive year this year. He could be a dark horse to leave after the season is over. If we get Silver back Hayes and Henry Young and add a couple transfers we will be good up front again next year. But back to this year. If I could name one breakout player at each position. It would be Patterson at running back. Mincey and Farmer will turn heads on the o line. Anderson and Rodriguez could pass up our current starters next year in the tight end room. Brown-Stephens at receiver. Cutter Boley at quarterback. It seems like Boley is neck and neck with Gavin Wimsatt I would have never predicted that. He’s passed up Beau Allen a senior. The Boley and Saunders quarterback battle will be a great one. Defensive line Oxendine. Linebackers is a smaller linebacker but he makes up for it with speed and that’s Rayner a transfer from last year. In the secondary im going to say cornerback Dunn and Waller both have good seasons so it’s a toss up between them. In the safety group Story the Alabama transfer is going to be better than advertised. I don’t think he’s going to be great but I think he will be consistent and he won’t allow big plays. There you have it my sleepers and dark horses. Another player to keep a eye on is Jayvant Brown. He played a lot last year as a true freshman. I think he builds on that this year and is primed to start in 2025. Also another linebacker I really like who hasn’t played a lot it Matthews. He is a big physical linebacker