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UK football: Denzil Ware’s transfer opens the door for young LBs

By Drew Koch

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Jarrett Guarnanto of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball while defended by Denzil Ware #35 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Jarrett Guarnanto of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball while defended by Denzil Ware #35 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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In an unexpected turn of events, Denzil Ware is leaving the UK football program. Who’s gonna step into Ware’s starting linebacker spot?

Denzil Ware, unexpectedly, is leaving the UK football program. Kentucky’s starting outside linebacker is transferring from the school. Ware is graduating this weekend and therefore will be a graduate-transfer, and is eligible to play for another school this season. So the question now becomes, who will start opposite Josh Allen on Kentucky’s front seven?

Ware’s production will not be easily replicated. A three-year starter for the UK football team, Ware played in 35 games over the past 3 seasons. Alongside Allen, Ware was part of the Blitz Brothers. Last season, Ware had 6.5 sacks and totaled 13 during his career at UK.

So who will Mark Stoops turn to? Who will fill the void? Josh Paschal took Ware’s spot on the outside when Ware was suspended for Kentucky’s bowl game last season. Paschal recorded a sack during the Music City Bowl against Northwestern and racked up 3.5 sacks on the season.

Paschal seems like an obvious replacement, right? Well, if it weren’t for the fact that UK’s coaching staff decided to move Paschal to defensive end, it sounds like a solid move. But, with Paschal moving up front, it’s unlikely the Wildcats’ coaching staff would move him back to linebacker.

A more likely candidate to replace Ware is Jamar ‘Boogie’ Watson. As a freshman last season, Watson played in 6 games for the Cats. Watson recorded 7 total tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

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Watson was a 3-star recruit for Coach Stoops in 2016. With Eli Brown’s transfer back in February, and now Ware taking his talents elsewhere, Watson is likely to see a huge increase in playing time next season.

Senior linebacker Kenegra Daniel, as well as redshirt freshman Jordan Wright have the potential to see some snaps on the outside as well. While Ware’s leadership will be missed, the future is bright for the Wildcats’ defense.

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