Four-star linebacker Jared Casey was a key signee for Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow. (Twitter Photo)
Jared Casey played in three games as a true freshman linebacker in 2019 and then was in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2020 when he had 20 tackles, including five tackles and a tackle for loss against national champion Alabama. He was a highly-touted four-star prospect coming out of Louisville Ballard — and a win recruiting win for Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow — when he has 70 tackles as a senior and ranked as the No. 15 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com.
This season he is a player Kentucky needs to make a major step forward at inside linebacker much like Jamin Davis did last year when he became a first-time starter, led UK in tackles and will become an NFL first-round draft pick later this month.
“Jared has really grown a lot,” UK linebackers coach Jon Sumrall said Thursday.
Sumrall says what a player sees at outside linebacker — Casey’s original position — and inside linebacker is not the same along with the level of communication required. Sumrall said that was “very undersold and understated” by most.
“He is a very intelligent kid. He has gotten straight A’s (in school). Learning the position is a lot. Our defense at inside linebacker puts a lot on them mentally. Jared has made a lot of great strides,” Sumrall said. “No one is ever going to be perfect but I am excited to see his growth.”
Casey could still play both linebacker positions and Sumrall likes to cross-train players to do that but only when they are ready so they do not get confused.
“Jared is a great guy to coach. He has invested time into his craft way more last year than when he first got here,” Sumrall said.
He noted how much all his linebackers are into preparation thanks to the example set by returning starter DeAndre Square.
“I do not have to ask them to watch more film. Square already has all the position group watching before I do,” Sumrall said., “Coaching is fun when guys are excited about learning and growing. He is embracing that.”
