MOCK DEPTH CHART: Mapping out a vision for UK's spring defensive two-deep
Cats Illustrated shifts to the defensive side of the ball and projects what that unit's two-deep might look like in the spring.
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DEFENSIVE END
1 - Alvonte Bell, Sr.
2 - T.J. Carter, So.
NOSE GUARD
1 - Naquez Pringle, Sr.
2 - Matt Elam, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1 - Adrian Middleton, Jr.
2 - Tymere Dubose, Jr.
Notes: Kentucky loses only Courtney Miggins on the defensive line from the 2016 team. That means Alvonte Bell will need to step up and improve his game in the offseason. Kengera Daniel played sparingly but had some big moments and could become a bigger factor in the rotation, although he may man a hybrid linebacker position primarily. Pringle surpassed Elam at nose guard this season and the latter will need to put everything together to win his starting job back. Middleton had a quality second season with the program and Dubose played more at the end of the year.
LINEBACKER (1)
1 - Josh Allen, Jr.
2 - Jordan Bonner, Jr.
LINEBACKER (2)
1 - Denzil Ware, Jr.
2 - Kengera Daniel, So.
LINEBACKER (3)
1 - Jordan Jones, Jr.
2 - Eli Brown, So.
LINEBACKER (4)
1 - Courtney Love, Sr.
2 - Kash Daniel, So.
Notes: Kentucky returns everything at the linebacker positions. It seems pretty cut and dry what the depth chart will look like as of today, although a player like Jaylin Bannerman, who sources praised during the 2016 season, could breakthrough and compete for time in his redshirt sophomore year.
NICKELBACK
1 - Kendall Randolph, Sr.
2 - Tobias Gilliam, RS-Fr.
CORNERBACK (1)
1 - Derrick Baity, Jr.
2 - Jordan Griffin, So.
CORNERBACK (2)
1 - Chris Westry, Jr.
2a. - Davonte Robinson, RS-Fr.
2b. - Lonnie Johnson, Jr.
STRONG SAFETY
1 - Mike Edwards, Jr.
2 - Kendall Randolph, Sr.
FREE SAFETY
1 - Darius West, Jr.
2 - Lonnie Johnson, Jr.