CJ Works is a Surprising True Freshman Standout for Kentucky

“Who’s 15?” was a question I found myself asking early in the year at Kroger Field. That was CJ Works making plays on the field. There were a few reasons why I was surprised, but I probably shouldn’t have been.

Works was one of the biggest names on Kentucky’s recruiting big board. A 6-foot-5, four-star EDGE, the Dayton native fit the mold of what Kentucky looks for at the position. He committed to Kentucky just before the Fourth of July, but then we didn’t hear much from him, even after he transferred to Frederick Douglass for his final season of high school football.

That was one reason why it was hard to believe he was on the field early. The other? He plays arguably the most difficult position to learn on the Kentucky defense. Brad White just doesn’t play true freshman outside linebackers.

Works has been the exception. He’s played in all five games so far this season, in part because of what’s going on between his ears.

“I’ve been impressed with his demeanor, his ability to be coachable, and you can coach him hard. He takes football seriously, but he doesn’t get down on himself,” Brad White said last week.

That was before the best game of Works’ young career. The freshman played a career-high 24 snaps at Georgia, logging three tackles, a tackle for loss, and a run stuff at the line of scrimmage.

True freshman EDGE CJ Works is quietly having a good season for Kentucky. He's shown up with power + speed against the run and has a frame that should add some strength. Intriguing young player on this defense at an important position. pic.twitter.com/CDh0EFEsYv

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) October 7, 2025

What Works Adds to the Defense

In high school, Works was listed at 230. He is on the official roster at 254 pounds, but he’s still light on his feet.

“You think about what’s been successful in our defense over the years, right? Length and athletic ability and size. Whether it’s Josh Allen or Jordan Wright, JJ Weaver, he fits that mold. He’s long, he’s athletic, he’s an easy mover on his feet. He doesn’t even look like he’s as heavy as he is,” said White.

Works has a unique skillset that allows Kentucky to do different things schematically up front. Last fall, Weaver could set a hard edge in the run game on one side, but relied on Zion Childress to fortify the run game on the opposite side of the field. Works can play opposite of Sam Greene or Kam Olds, allowing Kentucky to play big with five down-linemen.

White wasn’t sure if Kentucky could use that often this fall, but Works has taken the coaching and proven during practices that he can handle the mental responsibility of playing in high-pressure moments against SEC foes.

“These last two bye weeks have been big,” White said on last night’s call-in show. “Because you understood coming out of fall camp, what you could potentially have. It’s hard to play in the SEC as a true freshman, especially at an outside linebacker position. Getting as many reps in practice to build that confidence up. It’s both for him and I’m gonna be honest, it’s for me too, right?

“You put a true freshman out there against a team like Georgia or South Carolina — I mean, he’s going to have 10 other guys like leaning on him to make sure he knows exactly what to do. The pictures are going to change. Do we have him dialed-in and coached up enough? And to his credit, he takes it really seriously. He works hard, he wants to be good, and his length and his physicality has shown up and he’s made some plays here.”

CJ Works has quickly earned trust from his coaches and teammates, allowing him to make an impact early in his career. That forecasts more havoc plays from the true freshman over the final seven games of the season.