New look coming for Cats' defensive front
Kentucky’s defensive front will have a new look in 2025.
It won’t take long to notice the absence of NFL Draft pick Deone Walker in the middle of the Wildcats’ line. Replacing that 6-foot-7, 340-pound presence in his No. 0 jersey will not be easy, but UK head coach Mark Stoops said Monday that he likes the options available to defensive coordinator Brad White.
“I think, you know, we’re gonna look at all options,” Stoops said during his Q&A session prior to the annual UK Football Kickoff Luncheon. “Even last year, if you looked at the scheme and you looked at the system, we’ve got to make sure that we’re changing that, at times.
“We’re not going to drastically change anything, but with these body types that you’re talking about, yeah, it gives us the ability to do some other things. And I don’t want to give away too much, so I’m going to guard that a little bit right now.”
A tweak, so to speak, to borrow a “greatest hit” from the other side of campus.
New kid in town
Kentucky hit the transfer portal for a player it hopes can lock down the ever-important nose tackle position in the Cats’ 3-4 scheme. David Gusta, a 6-foot-3, 316-pound addition from Washington State, made a strong early impression in the spring and has continued that with some eye-popping workouts in the off-season.
“He’s a guy who’s 316-320, but man, he can move,” Stoops said. “This off-season, he did 225 (pounds) 38 times (on the bench press). I mean, he’s physically what you want. Very twitchy and disruptive inside.”
Gusta has 32 career games at the P4 level, including 24 starts. He has recorded 62 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in his career.
The 6-foot-3, 328-pound Josaih Hayes is also back at nose tackle after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign.
The vets
They’ll be flanked by some long, athletic defensive tackles and ends. Kahlil Saunders, a 6-5, 297-pound junior, returns with some good experience under his belt. Sophomore Tavion Gadson (6-5, 307) is also back after dealing with injuries a year ago.
“Both of those guys (Hayes and Gadson) were not even relevant last year until they got healthy, and that was way late,” Stoops said. “… And Tavion’s a guy who’s 300 pounds and can move. Josaih is actually down. He got a little heavy while he was injured, and he’s back at 320. He gives us some stout presence inside.”
A homegrown product, Jerod Smith from Corbin, is expected to be a bigger part of the defense as a sophomore. “Twitchy at 275 pounds now,” Stoops noted.
Impressive athletes from the portal
Another newcomer, Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace, was one of the most sought-after D-Linemen in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-4, 272-pound Cincinnati native recorded 101 career tackles, 26.0 tackles for loss, and 15.0 sacks at South Dalkota.
“He’s dynamic, now,” Stoops said. “He’s, physically on the edge, exactly what you’re looking for.”
Humphrey-Grace tested this spring with a 38-inch vertical and a 10-6 broad jump. “Very athletic guy,” Stoops added.
The Cats also signed Jaden Williams from Wyoming. The 6-foot-4, 291-pound California native showed some glimpses of his pass-rush potential in two seasons with the Cowboys, recording 24 career tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss,1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hurries
Two other newcomers, Kam Olds (Kent State) and Sam Greene (USC), are also expected to bring more physicality to the edges, along with returnee Stephen Soles Jr. at the outside linebacker spots. Olds and Greene are both playing in the 250 range, and the extremely athletic Soles has bulked up to almost 240 to better withstand the rigors of the SEC.
Former four-star recruit Brian Robinson (6-5, 268) could also compete for playing time on the edge as a redshirt freshman, and the staff has the option of moving Saunders outside if they need more size, Stoops added.
“A good mixture of guys with that D-Line,” the UK boss said.
Added White: “It’s going to be more by committee, but they are tough… We should stay fresh, and we should be able to rotate.”