Sunday Headlines: JJ Weaver Edition

The talented edge rusher continues to work his way back onto the field

By Zac Oakes@ZacOakes Aug 22, 2021, 6:40am EDT

If the Kentucky Wildcats are going to improve their pass rush this season, JJ Weaver figures to be a big part of those plans.

Weaver, the talented pass rusher from Louisville, began to come into his own last season with 6.5 tackles for loss in 9 games last season before going down with a torn ACL in the Florida game.

Since then, Weaver has done his part to make his way back onto the field, working hard and rehabbing. Head Coach Mark Stoops recently said Weaver is ahead of schedule.

“J.J. is ahead of schedule,” Stoops said at media day. “He’s working extremely hard. I stayed on J.J. from day one just to make sure he stayed up with that, starting with his range of motion, and then his strength and all those things. He’s putting it together. I don’t want to force that. He’s doing a very good job, but you also have to make sure you give that ligament time to heal. He has a bright future, and I have a tendency to try to be more cautious with those type of guys than force them back into it.”

Kentucky must improve its pass rush going into the 2021 season. For a defense that will be breaking in a couple new defensive backs, getting pressure on the quarterback will be key for this defense. Jordan Wright is expected to improve, and Weaver figures to play into that position group as well.

There’s a lot of optimism around the program for Weaver as he works his way back from the injury, and deservedly so. He has a ton of potential and fans should be excited to see him back on the field.