Key addition to Kentucky defense among 'most impactful' transfers ahead of 2024 season

Kentucky needed help on the defensive side of the ball coming into this offseason and it wasted no time to land one of its key additions in Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

Dumas-Johnson played 38 games and had 24 starts for the Georgia Bulldogs and was a key member of their back-to-back National Championship run.

So, when he transferred to Kentucky he immediately turned into someone who would be one of the more impressive additions for any team around the country.

247Sports came out with its top 50 'most impactful' transfers that could shape the 2024 season and, to no surprise, Dumas-Johnson was on the list. It was where he was listed though that was notable.

Coming in at No. 18 on the list, Dumas-Johnson was the top linebacker transfer as well as the fifth defensive player.

In his career, he totaled 126 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

His production is to be expected. He was an AP Preseason All-America First Team selection heading into the 2023 season before missing four games to injury.

In 2022, he finished as an First Team AP All-American aftering putting together a terrific season with 70 tackles, including team-high nine tackles for loss and four sacks. He also had 26 quarterback hurries.

"Pop (Jamon) Johnson from Georgia brings an awful lot to our football team," Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said when he signed. "Again, a guy that has unbelievable experience but has that burning desire to bring that winning culture with him and work extremely hard and fit in with us, and Pop is a guy that obviously will have an immediate impact in our program. We're really excited about him."