The Kentucky football team opened preseason camp this week with most players expected to be on the two-deep depth chart available. However, one position continues to be affected by long-term injuries. Defensive linemen Josaih Hayes, Tavion Gadson, and Darrion Henry-Young will all miss an extended period of time, as announced by Coach Stoops at his Friday news conference. Stoops clarified that these injuries, along with one to freshman cornerback Quavo Marshall, could be season-ending.
Both Hayes and Gadson play nose guard, raising concerns about the depth behind projected starter Keeshawn Silver. Linemen Deone Walker, Tre’vonn Rybka, and Kahlil Saunders might need to play some nose guard in addition to their regular roles at tackle or end. To address this issue, UK added junior-college transfer Dennious Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, as a late addition to the 2024 recruiting class this summer. UK was Jackson’s only FBS scholarship offer.
“He’s a guy we needed to add for that very reason,” Stoops said of Jackson. “We just felt like we took some hits at that specific position. Even as we want to be physical, get through camp, he’s a big body that we needed.”