'I expect him to take another step': Kentucky believes in Alex Afari Jr. at linebacker

NCAA Football: SEC Media Day — Jul 17, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Alex Afari answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Kentucky had clear star power at off-ball linebacker in 2024 but depth was lacking. To supplement the need, the coaching staff made a position change. Once injuries started to pile up, former defensive back Alex Afari Jr. went from moonlighting to playing big snaps in the box.

Now the expectations have raised for the senior out of Greater Cincinnati.

The former blue-chip recruit who picked Kentucky over Cincinnati was signed as a cornerback and quickly settled into the hybrid nickel/safety position in UK’s defense. That led to playing time as a true freshman but Afari became a permanent starter as a junior at off-ball linebacker. The veteran is now expected to play a massive role as an every down player after starting the last four games at linebacker in 2024.

“He’s a guy that’s proven himself, and he is one of those guys that has been a great leader. Just had a great summer, as far as physically taking it to another level,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said on Monday. “Last year was a great I would say, I was just so pleasantly pleased with him a year ago, making that transition, moving inside, and how well he played a year ago. I expect him to take another step.”

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Alex Afari Jr. finished his junior campaign with 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pressures, and a 13.9 percent missed tackle rate in 434 defensive snaps, according to PFF data. There was an adjustment need to playing inside, but the Cats feel confident with where the senior is at after spending an entire offseason at the position. At SEC Media Days, Afari told reporters that he was up to 230 pounds and ready to handle the physical nature of the linebacker position.

Daveren Rayner, Landyn Watson, Grant Godfrey, and Antwan Smith are other players expected to get playing time at linebacker but all signs point to Afari being a critical piece in the middle of Kentucky’s defense. Kentucky needs the veteran to become a steadying force while maintaining the playmaking production we saw when he was a hybrid player.

“Alex was one of our better players all last year,” Stoops said.