Kentucky may have its next great linebacker, a few other SEC notes
Only one college team other than LSU has produced two first-round NFL draft picks at linebacker in the past three years — Kentucky. And it seems like the Wildcats may have found their next great talent at linebacker.
Four-star freshman linebacker Trevin Wallace, who ranked No. 41 in On3’s 2021 player rankings, has been as advertised since arriving at Kentucky this summer, based on feedback shared with On3. Wallace, from Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County, impressed through summer workouts, continues to flash and impress through the early part of fall camp and appears ready to make an immediate impact for the Wildcats’ defense.
With Ole Miss linebacker transfer Jacquez Jones sidelined by an injury, Wallace has been working with Kentucky’s first-team defense at inside linebacker, next to returning starter and team captain DeAndre Square.
Here are a few other SEC notes:
An Alabama freshman to keep an eye on
True freshman wide receiver Agiye Hall’s performance in the Alabama spring game — four catches for 72 yards, including a couple of highlight-reel grabs — led to him receiving a lot of hype and attention. But it’s been a different member of the Crimson Tide’s highly ranked freshman receiver group who’s been generating the most buzz during camp — four-star signee JoJo Earle, who arrived in Tuscaloosa this summer.
While John Metchie, Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams and Slade Bolden seem to be the likely starters at wide receiver, Earle — who ranked 49th on the On3 2021 recruit ranking list, out of Aledo (Texas) High — received some reps with the first-team offense during Alabama’s scrimmage this past weekend and was the recipient of an early touchdown pass from starting quarterback Bryce Young.
Earle also has been among the competitors for the Tide’s punt returner job.
A weapon for the Tide at tight end
A noteworthy streak continued for Alabama’s passing game during that first preseason scrimmage. It marked the fourth consecutive scrimmage, dating to the spring, that Young and tight end Cameron Latu hooked up for at least one touchdown.
While the Tide has some pass-catchers who are bigger names nationally at this point — such as Metchie and tight end Jahleel Billingsley — don’t sleep on Latu.
The expectation inside the Alabama building is that Latu, a converted linebacker who is a fourth-year junior, will be a big factor for the Tide offense this season.
Latu, from Salt Lake City Olympus, was a consensus national top-150 prospect in the 2018 class.
An update on Mississippi State’s d-line
On3 reported Tuesday that Mississippi State defensive end Jordan Davis suffered a torn ACL during a recent scrimmage and will miss the season. It’s a tough development for both the Bulldogs and for Davis, who was poised for a breakthrough season after posting 22 tackles as a backup in 2021.
Nevertheless, Mississippi State still should be in good shape along the defensive line. UCF transfer Randy Charlton, who tallied 18 tackles and two sacks in five games for the Knights last season, is expected to step into Davis’ spot as a starting end. Charlton, who was dismissed from UCF in November, has impressed with his work ethic and competitiveness since enrolling at Mississippi State, and was set to be a significant piece of the Bulldogs’ defensive line rotation even before Davis’ injury.