Preparations for the 2026 college football season are underway at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Cleats hit the grass practice fields and/or the turf at the Nutter Field House this week as Kentucky head coach Will Stein bgins his first spring practice as the leader of a program. There will be a lot of new for the Wildcats in 2026. The same is true at EDGE.
Under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, the Wildcats will be playing a more aggressive style on defense that will include some even fronts. That means that there will be less need for stand-up outside linebackers and will require defensive ends to play with their hands in the dirt. However, both of those player types will be in the same position room. After stops at Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State, Tony Washington Jr. takes over this unit in Lexington at age 33. There is some talent in this room.
Spring Spotlight: Kentucky's EDGE position will look different in 2026 - On3
Under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, the Wildcats will be playing a more aggressive style on defense that will include some even fronts. That means that there will be less need for stand-up outside linebackers and will require defensive ends to play with their hands in the dirt. However, both of those player types will be in the same position room. After stops at Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State, Tony Washington Jr. takes over this unit in Lexington at age 33. There is some talent in this room.
Spring Spotlight: Kentucky's EDGE position will look different in 2026 - On3