Kentucky Football finally has clarity on two defenders who haven’t played since the first weekend of October, and the news is mixed.
On Wednesday night’s edition of The Will Stein Show presented by UK HealthCare, Stein told host Tom Leach that nickel cornerback Jaden Smith tore his ACL in the 35-34 overtime win at South Carolina and will miss the rest of the season. Linebacker Antwan Smith, who was hurt in the same game, had ankle surgery. Stein said there’s a chance Smith is back for the postseason.
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The weekly show is Stein’s regular hour with the Voice of the Wildcats. They look back at the last game, look ahead to the next one, and take questions from fans. Tonight gave us the first real update on two guys who have been listed as out on every SEC availability report since Columbia.
Smith, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., came into the year expected to back up at nickel and move around the secondary. He was slowed by an injury at the start of fall camp. Even so, defensive coordinator Jay Bateman said in August that he saw “a real future” for him.
Smith played in all five games before the injury and finished with 7 tackles (5 solo) and a tackle for loss. His best game was his last one. He had four tackles and a TFL at South Carolina before his knee buckled while he was rushing LaNorris Sellers late in the game, and he had to be helped off the field. An ACL tear in October means a long rehab, but because it happened so early in the season, he has a real chance to be ready for 2027.
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Smith, a junior from Atlanta Westlake, is a 6-foot-3 linebacker with coverage skills and speed. He’s also a big part of Kentucky’s kick coverage. He played in all 12 games last season and had six tackles and a pass breakup. Before the injury this year, he had four tackles and an interception. He was carted off early against South Carolina, and Kentucky has kept his injury listed as undisclosed since then. Now, we know he had ankle surgery.
Injuries have been a constant for Smith in Lexington, so a possible bowl return is a good sign for a player who just hasn’t been able to stay on the field.
Kentucky is 7-2. Florida comes to Kroger Field on Saturday, with Missouri and Louisville still left after that. The Cats are thin at linebacker. Nothing changes this week, since both Smiths have been out for over a month. What Stein added is a timeline. Jaden won’t be back, and Antwan could be back if Kentucky’s season goes past Thanksgiving weekend.
