Kentucky Officially Announces Addition of DJ Waller Jr.

The ink has dried. DJ Waller Jr. is officially a Kentucky Wildcat.

The Youngstown native only entered the transfer portal five days ago. Already quite familiar with the Kentucky football program, after making a trip to Lexington over the weekend, the deal was sealed. He announced his commitment to Kentucky on Saturday. Mark Stoops made the addition official on Monday.

“DJ Waller is a long, athletic and physical player who is coming in here hungry and ready to work,” Stoops said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him to our Wildcat family.”

A 6-foot-3 cornerback, he has the frame Kentucky desires from its cornerbacks. A zone-eater, he just learned the position a year ago, yet still was a regular contributor for Michigan’s National Championship defense.

Starting cornerback Dru Phillips was an early entry to the NFL Draft, selected in the third round by the New York Giants. In addition to finding his replacement, two other cornerbacks entered the transfer portal this spring. Waller is a plug-and-play caliber player who could seamlessly step into a starting role opposite of Max Hairston this fall.

Tomorrow is the final day the spring transfer portal window is open for new entries. Schools will still be recruiting the portal, but the deadline to make a move is midnight on Tuesday.

The Official Kentucky Bio for DJ Waller Jr.

DJ Waller Jr., Defensive Back, 6-3, 205, So-Tr, Youngstown, Ohio (Michigan/Chaney)

Transferred to Kentucky after one season at Michigan … Has three years of eligibility remaining … Played in 11 games in the secondary and on special teams as a true freshman in 2023, helping the Wolverines amass a 15-0 record and win the College Football Playoff National Championship … Contributed 12 tackles with one pass breakup to earn a varsity letter at UM  … Named the Defensive Freshman of the Week five times during the season for his performances against UNLV, Bowling Green, Indiana, Nebraska and Michigan State … Two-way player at wide receiver and defensive back for head coach Seth Antram at Chaney High School … Totaled 47 tackles with 7.0 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception on defense … Charted 215 receiving yards with two scores offensively … Helped the Cowboys finish 10-2 in 2022, the school’s first 10-win season in more than 20 years … Named first-team all-state defense, Division III OPSWA All-Ohio … Earned All-District (Northeast Inland) first team in 2022 … A consensus 3-star prospect who was rated the No. 35 athlete in the nation and the No. 20 player in Ohio by Rivals.com.