Two Kentucky Defensive Starters will miss the rest of the 2025 season

This is why we can’t have nice things. Just as the Kentucky football program appears to be turning a corner after consecutive SEC wins, the Wildcats suffered two losses.

Mark Stoops announced on Monday that Kentucky will not have two defensive starters for the rest of the season, safety Jordan Lovett and EDGE Sam Greene. Both suffered injuries that will require surgery.

“I’m really disappointed for these young men and our team, but unfortunately, they will be out the rest of the year,” Stoops shared.

Greene, a transfer from USC, was named a team captain for the Florida game after his sack sealed the victory at Auburn. Unfortunately, his night at Kroger Field took a turn in the first half against the Gators. He was forced to the sideline where he spent the rest of the game on crutches.

A Washington D.C. native, Greene played his first two seasons of college football at USC. He transferred to Kentucky in December with three years of eligibility remaining. The ability to develop within the system is a huge plus for this program, as Stoops noted last week:

“It’s big for us, it’s big for continuity. But he’s a very good player and he’s been a great leader,” Stoops said after the Auburn win. “He’s another great person, and I just love his energy. I love the way he works, and he’s very passionate. And so he’s definitely a guy that we like to have here. He’s a great fit.”

Greene had 25 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, and 4 QB hurries prior to the injury. He was second on the team in pressures.

Jordan Lovett picked off the Auburn pass that was thrown one play after Greene’s sack. He’s the first Mark Stoops player to record multiple interceptions over four seasons in Lexington. A redshirt senior, the North Hardin product has 41 career starts and 9 total interceptions. This fall, he has 44 tackles and 3 TFLs.

Kentucky is thin at safety. Redshirt freshman Cam Dooley will be tasked to step in for Lovett. The redshirt freshman has 19 tackles this fall and recovered a fumble against the Gators. A couple of freshmen, Martels Carter and Dyllon Williams, will see some snaps at the end of the season, but Kentucky still would like each to retain their redshirt.

More Injury News

Alex Afari was also injured in the Florida game. Stoops does not anticipate the linebacker will return for the Tennessee Tech game, but may only miss a week. Tavion Gadson was absent against Florida, but he should be back for the final home game of the season. DJ Waller was close to returning last Saturday, but is now able to use a redshirt this year to preserve a season of eligibility.

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