After his team finished spring practice with a scrimmage Saturday, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops talked about how pleased overall he was with his team’s play and also that he believed “we kept everybody healthy.”
Since he had not announced any significant injuries during the five-week spring practice, that seemed like a really good thing for UK. Or at least it did until he was asked about sophomore linebacker D’Eryk Jackson, a player many expected to step in the starting role vacated by likely NFL first-round draft pick Jamin Davis.
Instead, Stoops revealed Jackson “probably” suffered a season-ending injury a week earlier before a scrimmage that day even started.
“I am very disappointed because he was doing a good job and really having a good spring,” the UK head coach said. “It was a lower-body injury that happened in pregame warmups and completely non-contact.”
Jackson played in nine games in 2020 with nine tackles, including three against Vanderbilt. He also had an interception against Mississippi State.
Jackson was a three-star recruit out of Georgia who slept in his car the night before a UK summer camp after making the drive to Lexington.
“Then he came out and really performed well at camp,” UK linebackers coach Jon Sumrall said. “We decided to go all-in and sign him. He works so hard. The kid loves football and spends extra time studying just to make himself better.”
Stoops said UK had a variety of players on campus and newcomers coming in that will compete for the starting job now beside DeAndre Square.
“I am not ready to pencil anybody in yet,” the UK coach said.
Michigan State transfer Luke Fulton could have a chance now to win that starting spot.
“He is doing a nice job,” Sumrall said earlier last week. “He is working to improve his craft individually and then figure out the rotation. Those guys understand now is the time to make their mark. We have a couple of freshmen (Martez Thrower, Trevin Wallace) coming in and we will figure out who gives us the best chance to win.”
Stoops said the Cats only have one option with Jackson injured.
“Next man up mentality like we always do,” Stoops said.
