WATCH: Kentucky mics up J.J. Weaver

Kentucky redshirt senior J.J. Weaver returned for another year to develop as a player and bolster his game before going to the NFL. The outside linebacker will be a player to watch for the Wildcats this fall.

Weaver enters the 2023 season with 16 starts in 35 career games at Kentucky. The EDGE player has accumulated 120 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 47 pressures, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 1,297 defensive snaps. Unfortunately, the three-year starter for Kentucky and preseason third-team All-SEC selection has yet to get through a full season without some type of injury holding him back.

Kentucky and Weaver are hopeful that some offseason weight gain will help him avoid injury this season.

Before fall camp came to a close, UK mic’d up the Louisville (Ky.) Moore product who is a prime candidate to have a breakthrough season this fall.

🎤🆙 @jjtimeee Mic'd Up! pic.twitter.com/JJipNi2YpT

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 19, 2023

Weaver has the attention of the NFL scouting community after adding nearly 20 pounds to his frame in the offseason.

“NFL teams looking for 3-4 OLB (outside linebacker) help will like Weaver as an edge-setter and how he takes up space as a dropper,” Senior Bowl Executive Directory Jim Nagy published on Twitter earlier this month.

J.J. Weaver is a clear building block for this defense. Kentucky once against has one of the best outside linebackers in the SEC, and expectations are high for the redshirt senior.