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

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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Football

Louisville Football Player Charged With First-Degree Strangulation, Days After Committing Game Losing Personal Foul

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Louisville Cardinals defensive back Tayon Holloway (20) reacts to his defensive play.
Eric Canha | Imagn

On Monday, Louisville football defensive back Tayon Holloway was detained and charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault.

This comes just days after the former four-star prospect committed a costly personal foul to put a 2-7 Stanford team in field goal range and upset Louosillve 38-35 with a walk-off field goal.

As expected, Holloway has been indefinitely suspended from the team.

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“The University of Louisville is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway,” the university said in a statement. “As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.”

Things Cardinals seem to be in a downward trend as the Commonwealth Cup nears, November 30th.

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Kentucky snaps four game losing streak defeats Murray State 48-6

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talking to Murray State football coach Jody Wright.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Kentucky gets a much-needed victory over Murray St 48-6 to snap its four-game losing Streak. Brock Vandagriff led the way for the Cats, going 12-19 for 183 passing yards and two touchdown passes to Hardley Gilmore IV and Ja’Mori Maclin. 48 Points is the most points Kentucky has scored in a game since 2021 when the Cats scored 51 points against Louisville.

The defense held Murray St. without a touchdown. For the second time this season, Kentucky’s defense has held an opponent without a touchdown.

Freshman Standout today:

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For the second time this season, Kentucky breaks the 40-point mark as three freshmen make impacts for Kentucky. Jamarion Wilcox had 13 carries and 124 yards with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV had two receptions for 72 yards and caught the 52-yard touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff on the game-opening drive.

Four-star quarterback Cutter Boley started the second half for the Cats, going 10-14 and passing for 130 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.

Defense Bounces Back:

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After giving up over 475 yards of total offense each of the last three games, Kentucky’s defense holds Murray State to 256 total yards of offense while also having three takeaways from the Murray State offense

Defensive Lineman Tre’vonn Rybka led the way for the defense with five tackles and the only sack of the game for Kentucky’s defense. Jordan Lovett had two takeaways in the first half for Kentucky and one in the red zone in the second quarter. Jackson Schultz had the final takeaway, picking off Jim Ogle’s pass late in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

With the win today over Murray St., Kentucky moves to 4-6 (1-6 SEC) with two games remaining. They look to keep their bowl eligibility alive as they travel to Austin, Texas, and face the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns at 3:30 pm on ABC. 

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Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

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“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

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