Linebacker D'Eryk Jackson Suffers Season-Ending Injury in Spring Practice

Kentucky suffered a significant loss in spring practice. Mark Stoops revealed that before the Wildcats’ first spring scrimmage linebacker D’Eryk Jackson suffered a season-ending lower body injury. The non-contact injury occurred during warmups. KSR has learned that Jackson underwent successful surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon earlier this week.

Through the first month of spring practice Jackson was playing his way into a starting position. Just a true sophomore, he played in nine games, recorded four tackles and picked off a pass in 2020. Jackson’s knowledge of the defense and his ability to put a thump on opponents had him in line to replace Jamin Davis as the Cats’ MIKE linebacker.

Kentucky’s group of inside linebackers can’t catch a break. Chris Oats was expected to be the guy in 2020. Jamin Davis was going to be the guy in 2021 before he launched up NFL Draft boards. Now the guy on his way to replace the guy is out for the year.

Jared Casey, the former four-star recruit from Louisville, will be the first to step in for Jackson. Michigan State transfer Luke Fulton is available to play in a reserve role as he learns more of UK’s defense. The Cats could seek out more bodies in the transfer portal this summer.

Brad White and Jon Sumrall will receive reinforcements this fall when Martez Thrower and Trevin Wallace arrive on campus. Instead of easing the highly-touted February signee into SEC football, Wallace may have no choice but to be thrown to the wolves right away. Luckily for the Cats, he has the football IQ and physical talent to make a seamless transition in year one.