This Kentucky football freshman could be key in slowing Florida star QB Anthony Richardson
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Preview: No. 20 Kentucky at No. 12 Florida
Click below to read more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s preview coverage ahead of Saturday’s Kentucky-Florida football game at 7 p.m. at Gainesville, Fla.
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Ask Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops or defensive coordinator Brad White about what they look for in a nickel back, and you are likely to get an explanation on how difficult that position is to play in the Wildcats’ defensive scheme.
The hybrid spot requires pass coverage skill and a willingness to be a physical tackler against the run. Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards thrived there for Kentucky. Vito Tisdale was penciled in to be the next great UK nickel back before a suffering a season-ending ACL tear in spring practice.
At the time of Tisdale’s injury, there was no clear replacement on the roster. Even during the early weeks of preseason camp, UK coaches deflected when asked about candidates to fill that role.
So when freshman defensive back Alex Afari opened the season listed as the backup nickel back on the depth chart, it seemed wise to temper expectations.
Someone forgot to tell Afari, though.
“He played a lot of snaps,” Stoops said. “It says a lot about him. We really talked about him, it felt like we had some trust in him. He’s one of them that you can tell by his length and his range that he’s a versatile guy.”
Against Miami (Ohio), Afari ranked second on the team with six tackles, including three solo tackles. He was credited with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
With usual strongside linebacker Jordan Wright suspended, Afari was on the field in situations where Kentucky might normally have played with two outside linebackers.
Afari has the size — he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds — to make up for some of the physicality lost in Wright’s absence. Considering Stoops still views him as a future cornerback, he also has the cover skills to combat spread offenses.
“When he verbaled to go, I knew Kentucky was getting one heck of a football player,” said Tom Bolden, Afari’s former coach at West Lakota High School in Ohio. “With his size, his length, his athleticism, his toughness, the sky is the limit for this kid.”
After impressing in his debut, the spotlight should shine even brighter on Afari this week as Kentucky looks to win at No. 12 Florida.
Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson is among the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He was named SEC Player of the Week after totaling 106 rushing yards and 168 passing yards in Florida’s season-opening upset of Utah.
“If you watch their game vs. Utah, they had complete pressure on him at times and he 100% totally eluded it and got out of it,” Stoops said. “Then, when he gets out of it, it’s trouble because there’s too much time, there’s guys wide open. Utah had some great pressures and were literally draped all over him, had two on him at times, and he got out of it. Then if you rush four and drop into coverage, he pulled it down and ran for a 45-yard touchdown as well.”
Expecting Afari to slow Richardson on his own would be unfair, but his physical gifts offer the type of player who could be essential in countering Richardson’s blend of running and passing ability.
Of course, Afari doing that in his first career road game in what is expected to be a sellout crowd in Gainesville is an even bigger ask. Luckily, Afari has the personality to thrive in those situations, according to Bolden.
“He’s a kid of few words, but he definitely flips the switch when he’s out on the field,” Bolden said. “He’s a whole other beast out there, the way he locks in and gets after it. He’s got laser focus between the lines. That’s what you need, especially playing down there.”
Despite not arriving on campus until this summer, Afari was among the first freshmen pointed to by Kentucky coaches as likely to contribute this season when camp opened.
After UK’s first preseason practice, Stoops and White all but guaranteed Afari would play. White even said he had to specifically scheme in a way that made the most of Afari’s talent as he learned the system and adjusted to college football so he was on the field.
“Alex is a sponge,” defensive backs coach Chris Collins said. “He really is. He wants to be coached and he wants to be better. That’s important. A lot of times when you’re young, you don’t know how you’re going to adjust to that aspect of college because it’s a lot different than high school. A lot of times, guys are just better than people in high school. He’s really been focused on the details. Coach White has done an amazing job of trying to find his strengths and elevate those within our system.”
Even if Afari’s impressive debut does not carry over into the Swamp, his immediate and long-term ceiling remains high.
But after he looked like one of Kentucky’s best defenders for most of his debut, it would be dangerous to bet against him playing a key role in Gainesville.
“You could just tell from early on he was going to be that guy,” Bolden said. “... He’ll work at it. Not only physically will he work at it, but mentally he’ll work at it to make sure he puts himself in the best possible place to be successful.”
Next game
No. 20 Kentucky at No. 12 Florida
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPN
Records: UK 1-0, Florida 1-0
Series: Florida leads 53-19
Last meeting: UK won 20-13 on Oct. 2, 2021, in Lexington
This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 7:55 AM.
