Film Room: Garrett Witherington

Kentucky recorded its first defensive line recruiting win in the 2026 high school cycle on June 25. The program only had to wait four more days to receive another commitment. Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian defensive lineman Garrett Witherington became the program’s sixth commit over the last 10 days when he joined UK’s class on Sunday.

The Wildcats are now up to 13 additions to the class in June. Witherington is the sixth addition on defense and the second player from Metro Birmingham (Deuce Alston II) to join the class. What is Kentucky adding? The three-star recruit is a defensive tackle prospect with a run-stuffing size and skill set along with very intriguing movement skills.

Let’s check out the tape.

Legitimate run-stuffer

Garrett Witherington has defensive tackle size (6-4, 290) and looks like a defensive tackle on tape. The class of 2026 product projects to be a three-tech defensive tackle who can provide legitimate production as a run stopper but also has the athleticism to impact the game as a pass rusher.

The size, length, physicality, and movement skills all jump out on film. Witherington is a power player with nimble feet and some flexible athleticism. Kentucky’s latest commit is a clear cut evaluation as a run defender and has some tools that could allow him to be a productive rusher at the next level.

Witherington does a good job of sinking his hips upon contact and winning the leverage battle to create penetration. There is clear play strength shown on tape. The defensive tackle consistently does a good job of disengaging and shows some quick twitch when switching into pursuit mode. Witherington does a good job of working through double teams and consistently shows effort as a pursue defender. You see the movement skills when he is in chase mode but also on stunts and as a pass rusher. The big defensive tackle kind of smoothly runs the hoop and flashes some bend at the top of the rush.

This is a run-first defensive tackle right now but there are some clear physical tools that could be developed and make Witherington an impact interior rusher. The Kentucky commit is a stout interior presence right now who moves much better than you would expect.

Double-dipping on the defensive line

Kentucky has continually stacked some very good recruiting wins on the defensive line in recent high school cycles and just had a big winter in the transfer portal by beating out some big schools for David Gusta (Washington State) and Jaden Williams (Wyoming). But this is a positional group that must be replenished yearly. Kentucky is doing that.

Ben Duncum is a clear scheme fit as a 3-4 defensive end and Garrett Witherington is clear fit as a defensive tackle. The latest recruiting win has some of the best tape in Kentucky’s 2026 class as a productive run defender with very good movement skills. Witherington will need to show that his power can translate against bigger offensive guards but the Alabama native has some playmaking juice as an impact interior player with some twitch, positional flexibility, and the ability to chase.

The latest Kentucky recruiting win seems like a safe bet to at least become a productive SEC defensive tackle with the upside to grow into a potential difference-maker along the front.