JJ Weaver announces return to Kentucky for 2023 season

Kentucky standout linebacker JJ Weaver has announced his intentions to return to school for his senior season. Weaver had a chance to turn pro but instead will lead the Wildcats’ defensive efforts under defensive coordinator Brad White.

Since arriving in Lexington in 2019, Weaver has totaled 120 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two interceptions in 2021. He led UK this fall with 3.0 sacks and was No. 2 on the team in TFLs with 6.5. 

Weaver was a four-star in-state recruit out of Louisville Moore High School. He was ranked No. 372 in the 2019 recruiting class, per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.