When Daveren Rayner spoke with reporters for the first time in nearly a year during Kentucky football’s spring practice, he faced a lingering question: Was his plan always to return in 2025?
Rayner was one of the biggest mysteries on Kentucky’s roster last season. After starting the year as a key part of the inside linebacker rotation, he elected to redshirt following three games. The stated reason? To add size to his 6-foot-2 frame and prepare for one final college season. However, in the modern era of college football, redshirting often signals an impending transfer, leading to speculation about Rayner’s future.
Kentucky’s coaching staff kept details vague, though they noted he could play in one more game while maintaining his redshirt—a move that came in November when injuries depleted the linebacker corps before UK’s matchup at Tennessee. But when the winter transfer portal window closed, Rayner remained a Wildcat. With the departures of D’Eryk Jackson and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a starting role alongside Alex Afari in the heart of Kentucky’s defense was now his for the taking.
So, was he ever truly considering leaving? Rayner hesitated before answering, even glancing at UK’s PR official for confirmation before responding: “I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about it.” Ultimately, though, his relationships with defensive coordinator Brad White and the Stoops brothers kept him in Lexington. “I don’t like to restart,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to transfer the first time.”
Rayner originally came to Kentucky from Northern Illinois before the 2023 season, seen as a raw but athletic linebacker who needed time to develop. He showed flashes of promise early, but when UK landed former Georgia All-American Dumas-Johnson, Rayner found himself third on the depth chart behind him and Jackson. After totaling six tackles and two tackles for loss in three games, Rayner made the difficult choice to sit out the rest of the season rather than burn his final year of eligibility in a backup role.
The move proved wise for both Rayner and Kentucky. Injuries quickly piled up at linebacker, justifying the need for depth. When Rayner was called upon against Tennessee, he didn’t even play his usual inside linebacker role—he filled in at the “Jack” outside linebacker spot instead. Defensive coordinator Brad White praised his performance, believing it could help launch him into a breakout 2025 season.
During his redshirt year, Rayner added nearly 15 pounds, bringing him closer to his listed weight of 217 pounds. While he still lacks the bulk of some SEC inside linebackers, his athleticism and experience could be crucial for a UK defense undergoing major changes. He now enters his third season as the most experienced player in the inside linebacker room, with White challenging him to be a leader.
UK also added Marshall transfer Landyn Watson to bolster the linebacker corps, while younger players like Grant Godfrey, Antwan Smith, and Devin Smith may see increased roles. But unlike last season, Rayner no longer has to fight for an opportunity—this time, it’s his job to lose.
“That’s the demand of him,” White said. “Be that guy, put on that extra weight, be the vocal leader. He’s got the most reps, the most experience. The game has slowed down for him now.”
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