🛑 The era of Will Stein as Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach has officially begun, but even as he aids the Oregon Ducks in their College Football Playoff preparation, one glaring issue looms over Lexington: the dire state of the Kentucky Football linebacker corps. Stein’s mandate is to revitalize the Kentucky defense, and his first challenge involves a rapid and significant restocking of one of the most critical positions on the field.
The numbers don’t lie. As the offseason officially commences, the Wildcats’ linebacker room boasts a meager count of five full scholarship players, a precarious situation made worse by the failure to secure any replacements during the early signing period. This alarming depth issue forces the need for an immediate, aggressive strategy in the SEC Transfer Portal.
The Vacuum Left by Elite Departures
The position’s immediate need stems from the loss of two foundational starters. Both Daveren Rayner and Alex Afari Jr. have exhausted their eligibility, leaving a massive void in both production and leadership.
Rayner, a defensive stalwart, departed after a stellar campaign that included 69 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two interceptions, and two sacks. His versatility and playmaking ability were central to the Wildcats’ defensive scheme. Similarly, Alex Afari Jr. provided consistent disruptive force, recording 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. To put this loss in context, only one other returning linebacker played more than 100 snaps all of last season—highlighting just how much responsibility these two absorbed. Finding plug-and-play starter replacements for both players must be at the very top of Stein’s roster-building agenda.
In-House Hope and Massive Unknowns
Amidst the significant depletion, there is a silver lining in rising talent Grant Godfrey. The former Class of 2023 recruit stepped up as a redshirt sophomore in 2024, logging multiple starts and finishing with 34 tackles and two tackles for loss. Godfrey appears primed to become a full-time leader and starter in 2026, offering a foundation for the new defensive staff.
Beyond Godfrey, however, the depth chart is riddled with question marks. Antwan Smith is the only other player who received significant rotational snaps. The remaining scholarship linebackers—including Quintavion Norman, Devin Smith, and Kris Thompson—have yet to establish any meaningful role on the defensive side of the ball. This roster fragility confirms the necessity of adding multiple players at the position.
Stein’s Crucial Offseason Blueprint
While Will Stein is renowned for his offensive mind, his first crucial steps involve the defense. He must swiftly lock in a top-tier defensive coordinator and a dedicated linebackers coach. These hires are paramount, as they will define the scheme and spearhead the crucial scouting efforts.
Once the staff is secured, the entire program’s attention must turn to the SEC Transfer Portal. For the Kentucky Wildcats, the goal is clear: utilize the portal to find at least one, if not two, experienced, ready-to-contribute linebackers who can immediately mitigate the loss of Rayner and Afari Jr.
The urgency is high. Success in the competitive College Football Recruiting landscape, particularly in the portal, is dictated by speed and a compelling vision. Will Stein faces a baptism by fire, forced to balance his first head coaching duties with an immediate and major linebacker recruiting crisis. The ability of the new staff to triage this defensive need will likely dictate the initial trajectory of Stein’s tenure in Lexington.