Growth, positional versatility could get Jared Casey playing time

In the class of 2019, Jared Casey may have been the crown jewel. The Louisville (Ky.) Ballard product was a four-star prospect and the highest-ranked player in the haul. Expectations were high for the athletic linebacker.

After a position move combined with some time served in the program, Casey may finally be ready to make a splash in 2021. The chance to give the Wildcats some high-quality depth is certainly on the table.

The blue-chipper originally committed to Oregon on Oct. 11, 2018, before flipping and committing to Kentucky on Dec. 6, 2018, just two weeks before signing day. The Wildcats planned on trying out the 6-foot-3 linebacker on the edge, but after just one season Casey was slid over to the inside linebacker position room. Heading into his second full season at the position, the young player is showing growth.

“Learning the positions, it’s a lot,” inside linebackers coach Jon Sumrall told the media this week. “What we do to play inside linebacker, we put a lot on those guys mentally. They have to think at a high level. It’s more than just a physical game, it’s a mental game for those guys as well. Jared’s made a lot of great strides. You’re never going to be perfect, you’re going to make mistakes but I’m really excited to see his growth. He right now is practicing primarily at Will. We’ll work him some at Mike depending on situations that we see fit.”

That Will spot is of course filled by three-year starter DeAndre Square who enters the season with 129 tackles over the last two seasons. The Detroit native looks to be the heart and soul of the defense. Over at Mike, there are some bigger questions. Sophomore D’Eryk Jackson appears to be the favorite to start while Michigan State transfer Luke Fulton is also a name to keep in mind. Casey is positioning himself to be a player that factors in at both spots.

Last season, the redshirt sophomore recorded 20 tackles and two non-sack tackles for loss in limited playing time. Fellow inside linebacker reserve Marquez Bembry has moved out to outside linebacker. Casey might just be the program’s future at Will and brings terrific size to the position checking in at 221 pounds. There is no hiding from the fact that Kentucky needs depth at inside linebacker. Heading into the all-important third year, Casey is making huge strides.

Talent, size, athletic ability, and potential are all there. Now the former blue-chipper appears to be putting it all together. With highly-touted prospect Trevin Wallace arriving in the summer, the competition for playing time is only going to get tougher. Casey is giving himself a shot at earning some playing time thanks to a very productive spring. His position coach has noticed.

“I’m excited about Jared,” said Sumrall. “As a kid, he’s a great guy to coach, he’s a great young man working hard. He’s invested time into his craft way more over the last year than he did when he first got here.”