Daveren Rayner Shoulders Mighty Responsibility for the Kentucky Defense

Nobody will ever call Kentucky “Linebacker U,” but make no mistake about it, the Wildcats produce at the position.

Wesley Woodyard, Danny Trevathan, and Avery Williamson were anchors for the Wildcats before lengthy NFL careers. Jordan Jones was a tackling machine. Courtney Love was the model Mark Stoops leader. Jacquez Jones and DeAndre Square tallied more than 300 tackles in their collegiate careers.

Kentucky’s most recent standout at the position was criminally underrated. D’Eryk Jackson was a low-three-star recruit who turned into a three-year starter. When he was lost to the season, the Kentucky run defense fell apart in 2024.

Even though they are built much differently, Daveren Rayner shares something in common with his predecessor.

Communication is Key for Kentucky Linebackers

While he may not have had elite athleticism, Jackson was always at the right place at the right time. To become the right player in the middle of the Kentucky defense, he had to learn how to become a vocal player. Jon Sumrall forced the introvert to be vocal by challenging him to engage in conversations around the Kentucky football facility.

Rayner has all of the athleticism to play sideline to sideline. His size is an issue, but more importantly, he has to be an elite communicator. It’s a responsibility Brad White has seen Rayner embrace during the offseason.

“It’s been solid. He’s really trying to take to it. It is a much bigger role than he’s ever had anywhere he’s been, and not so much from playing time. He played a lot at NIU. He’s had plenty of full-time snaps here. Started the Missouri game two years ago and started the Tennessee game last year at the boundary,” the defensive coordinator said on Tuesday.

“He’s got that, but to actually be a voice in the locker room, a voice in front of the defense, a guy with a green dot — he’s a guy that I’ve been really proud of in terms of, he’s trying. Is it perfect right now? No, and he knows there are still things that he has to grow through, growing pains.”

Rayner preserved an extra season of eligibility by only playing in four games last fall. The goal was to gain more weight. Not all of it has stuck. However, it’s clear he’s eager to step into a bigger role.

During the first scrimmage of the preseason, the Kentucky defense did not play perfect football. However, Rayner loved the way the defense responded to early growing pains.

“When you play as one unit, you make up for a lot in other areas. Tackling wasn’t our strongest suit,” said Rayner. “Obviously, that’s something we’re going to emphasize the rest of this week, but I think we did a really good job as a defense in communication, understanding what went wrong and where we can get right the next drive, the next play.”

There’s open dialogue on the Kentucky defense. That wasn’t there at the end of the 2024 campaign. This experienced group cannot be successful if it cannot stop the run. Much of that responsibility falls on Rayner’s shoulders in 2025.