Connect with us

Football

JJ Weaver Prepared to Take Next Step in His Final Season at Kentucky

Published

1 year ago

on

Kentucky linebacker JJ Weaver at Media Day 2023
© Matt Stone/Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kentucky linebacker JJ Weaver has the physical tools to play in the NFL, but he has yet to put it together consistently at the collegiate level. Entering his fifth season at Kentucky as a redshirt senior, Weaver is looking to take the next step and emerge as the defensive leader for Kentucky football in 2023.

The Louisville native is preparing to be a leader on and off the field for the Wildcats.

Being a Captain on the Defense

A Sea of Blue’s Dylan Ballard had the chance to sit down with Weaver and ask him a couple of questions at Kentucky football’s media day.

Advertisement

Ballard asked what it meant to be a leader and a veteran on the team, to which Weaver responded, “It means a lot. Plus, being an in-state guy too. So, having everybody behind my back, supporting me. That’s what I really need, the love. I really care about the love. I’m big on love.”

He added, “So, I know that me coming back means I’m gonna get so much love, positive feedback, motivation. I really need motivation. I knew Coach [Brad] White was gonna help me get motivated, push me to the limit like he did Josh Allen.”

When asked what leadership role he is taking, Weaver said, “Just being more consistent in everything I do. Talking more, being on and right with people, telling people if they did wrong.”

Weaver continued, saying, “Personally, for me, I want somebody to tell me if I did something wrong. So, just being consistent with everything.”

Advertisement

The big thing for Kentucky football is consistency. As Weaver and several people within the program have stated, Kentucky has to be consistent in every aspect in order to be successful this fall.

Expecting Good Results

The UK football team has been working tirelessly this offseason to be elite in 2023. Weaver himself has high expectations for Brad White’s defense.

“Just being a dominant force and fast. Being consistent with everything we do.”

That’s what JJ Weaver believes Kentucky football will look like this season. Dominant, fast, and of course, consistent.

Advertisement

As the offense looks to regain its footing following a shaky 2022 season, it is imperative that JJ Weaver and the rest of the UK defense play at a high level.

Helping in the Community

JJ Weaver has played a massive role in communities all around the state, most recently hosting a bike drive in Louisville for children in need. According to his profile on the UK Athletics website, he is even majoring in Community Leadership and Development.

Weaver discussed how much it means to him that he can give back to others. He said, “It means a lot. Plus, where I come from, I never had nothing, and being able to give back to my community means a lot. God put me in this position to be able to bless others.”

JJ Weaver knows exactly what it means to wear “KENTUCKY” across the chest, literally and figuratively. He will not only prove to be a great defensive leader for Kentucky football, but also a great representative for the Bluegrass State.

Advertisement

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Football

Kentucky Athletic Collectives Rank 11th of 16 Teams in SEC, Bring in over $11 Million

Published

2 weeks ago

on

December 10, 2024

By

Kentucky ranks 11th of 16 SEC teams in collective fundraising.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

For better or for worse of college sports, NIL is here to stay and it certainly gives an advantage to schools with more money. Just looking at the SEC alone, collectives raised more than $200 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Unfortunately, Kentucky is ranked in the lower half of that.

According to documents from the House v. NCAA proposed settlement, Kentucky raised $11,254,204 from athletics collectives for the 2023-24 fiscal year. That ranks 11th of the 15 public universities in the SEC and is just more than half of the top collective, Texas who raised over $22 million.

Full Rankings

Rank
School NameCollective Funding
1Texas22,272,474
2LSU20,137,141
3Georgia18,326,566
4Texas A&M17,228,714
5Alabama15,995,406
6Florida15,802,237
7Oklahoma14,817,595
8Tennessee11,602,164
9Auburn11,588,953
10Arkansas11,544,039
11Kentucky11,254,204
12S. Carolina9,554,700
13Ole Miss8,872,378
14Missouri7,146,859
15Mississippi St.6,467,166
NRVanderbiltNot Available (Private School)

While collective funding is low, Kentucky has been a top 20 athletic program in total revenue, partly thanks to being a school that profits from its basketball program. Looking ahead to 2025, Kentucky is expected to stay in the top 20 nationally in athletic revenue, fifth in the SEC by bringing in an estimated 131,139,792. Ahead of programs like Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Tennessee.

Advertisement

With revenue sharing coming in the near future, even more money is going to be involved in roster and program building. Schools in the Big Ten and SEC have an even bigger advantage due to their new TV deals, giving them up to an extra $70 million or more.

A new era of college sports is here. It’s time to prepare and embrace it.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Kentucky Wide Receiver Calls for “A Lot” More Leadership and Accountability from Staff

Published

3 weeks ago

on

December 2, 2024

By

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks onto the field before the game against the Louisville Cardinals.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

A poor offensive line. Inconsistent quarterback play. A lot of things led to Kentucky football’s abysmal 2024 season. However, they had the talent to finish better than 4-8, only defeating one power opponent this season. So what could have helped?

Kentucky wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin was asked that question after the Wildcats’ loss to Louisville on Saturday. To his credit, he answered honestly and professionally.

“A lot more leadership,” Maclin said. “Holding guys accountable for things. A lot more discipline for all the guys… All around, players and coaches. We’re still a team, I don’t want to point at any one person or specific group. All around we need better leadership.”

Advertisement

Maclin is a junior and could return for another season. Despite talking about Kentucky taking the next step, he has not made his decision and will be returning home to talk to his family to do so. If Maclin does return, it sounds like Kentucky will have a leader in the receiving room.

Despite being a 1,000-yard receiver at North Texas, Maclin was not targeted often. However, on his 13 receptions, he caught four for touchdowns, the most of any receiver on the team.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Kentucky Player Seen At Concession Stand During Kentucky’s 41-14 Loss to Louisville

Published

3 weeks ago

on

December 2, 2024

By

A Kentucky football player was seen at buying food from the concession stand in Kentucky's 41-14 loss to Louisville.

Kentucky’s on-field product against Louisville was poor to say the least, sending 99% of Wildcat fans home early. It even sent an injured player from the sideline to get a snack…

Yes, offensive lineman Gerald Mincey, one of Kentucky’s most expensive transfer portal additions, was seen at one of the concession stands at Kroger Field during Kentucky’s 41-14 defeat.

Watching a 4-8 team is bad, but even worse to do on an empty stomach.

Advertisement

Mincey is a senior and will not be returning next season, but it is nice to see him reinvesting some money back into the program.

Continue Reading

Trending