SEC Football:  The East’s Most Important Defensive Players

Oct 18, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive back Tre’Davious White (16) carries the ball past Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Tyler Brause (behind) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Jabari Johnson (47) on a return for a touchdown in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

If Kentucky’s defense is going to experience a growth spurt in year 3 under Mark Stoops, many players will have to step up.  Stoops has been displeased thus far and will be implementing several changes in schemes in 2015.

If there is a player that understands a change in scheme and strategy, it is senior defensive end Jabari Johnson.  Johnson moved from linebacker to defensive tackle in 2013 and is now at defensive end.

Johnson started two games and totaled 20 tackles in 2014.  If he can become a force at defensive end by adding TFLs, sacks and quarterback pressures, Kentucky’s defense has a shot of experiencing a huge growth in 2015.

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