Many players around the country are awaiting to hear about their eligibility status following a judge ruling that is allowing four-year seniors from this past season to gain an extra year of eligibility, which the NCAA is fighting.
The same goes for Kentucky’s Alex Afari, who is now cleared to practice for the Wildcats while he continues waiting to hear back on a decision. The linebacker was even seen on Saturday at Kentucky’s ‘Meet the Team Day’ at Kroger Field, greeting fans and signing autographs. It’s clear that Stein and his staff are trying to stay one step ahead in the case that he does end up eligible.
What kind of impact could the veteran linebacker have on a defense with a ton of new faces up front? Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman spoke about Afari following the team’s scrimmage on Saturday.
“He’s a talented kid. I really like him,” Bateman said. “I got the chance to meet him a little bit when I first got here. I remembered him out of high school. He’s kind of a unique player out of high school. You weren’t really sure what he was going to become. I knew he’d become a good player. I honestly thought he’d get drafted. I don’t know many D coordinators that would be disappointed if a guy like that was able to come. I’m fired up about him, hope it happens, but I feel good about the linebackers either way.”
Afari has spent some time this off-season working out for different NFL teams, but returning to college is the opportunity he’s really going for, trying to gain that fifth year after having a good showing in his senior year last season. He would be a major, major boost to Kentucky’s defense as he can really be that true leader on that side of the ball, especially up front in the trenches.
If he is eligible, it’s obviously going to be a challenge adjusting to a different scheme with a whole new coaching staff and a change in style of defense, but Afari’s experience can help him through that. Oh, and getting a little head start practicing while he awaits his status sure doesn’t hurt either.
Will Stein announced on Saturday that Alex is currently practicing with the team while he awaits his eligibility. You can read more about that here.
Afari would have plenty to build on in a fifth year of college football. Hopefully, a decision comes within the next few weeks, but either way, Kentucky is trying to stay ahead of whatever comes because they know the impact Afari can have.
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