Three Kentucky Wildcats Earn Preseason All-SEC Nods from Athlon

Aug 31, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back JQ Hardaway (6) celebrates after an interception in the end zone against Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images

Slowly, but surely, we’re transitioning from the recruiting phase of the summer to Talking Season. In just two weeks, KSR will be in the middle of the mayhem at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. It’s hard to believe we’re that close. In case you needed another reminder, we have more preseason All-SEC teams from a college football preview magazine.

Phil Steele had four Kentucky Wildcats on his preseason All-SEC team. Athlon Sports has three Wildcats among its selections.

Super senior offensive guard Josh Braun is a part of the All-SEC Third Team on Offense. There were two players tabbed to the Fourth Team Defense, linebacker Alex Afari and cornerback JQ Hardaway.

Braun is no stranger to All-SEC selections. The Florida native began his career with the Gators. After three years in Gainesville, he transferred to Arkansas and was promptly named a Second Team All-SEC selection. He has played in 50 SEC games with 32 career starts.

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Hardaway is entering his second season at Kentucky, and his third in college football after starting his career at Cincinnati. A rotational player last fall, the lengthy cornerback totaled 47 tackles (fifth on the team), four pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. His best performance came when the Wildcats were shorthanded at Ole Miss. He filled in for the injured Maxwell Hairston and was exceptional against Tre Harris, tallying 11 career tackles and forcing the SEC’s top receiver to fumble in Kentucky territory.

If Afari plays to an All-SEC level, it’s a great sign for the Kentucky defense. The Cincinnati native started his career at nickel before growing into a linebacker. He cut his teeth at the position last season, tallying ten tackles at Tennessee and against Louisville. Afari has 132 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups in three seasons as a Wildcat. The Cats need Afari to blossom into an exceptional sideline-to-sideline tackler in the middle of the Kentucky defense.

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

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