Kentucky Loses Nickel Jaden Smith for the Season With a Torn ACL

Big Blue Nation, this one stings. Kentucky has stayed mostly healthy all fall, and now the secondary loses a piece it had been leaning on in November.

Our Take: Losing a nickel this late is a real hit, but this is exactly why depth matters. Kentucky needs Aaron Gates back at full speed and the young backups ready to handle real sub-package snaps.

Will Stein confirmed in his weekly conversation with Tom Leach on Wednesday that nickel Jaden Smith tore his ACL against South Carolina, KSR's Adam Luckett reported. "He had a torn ACL against South Carolina..for sure Jaden is out," Stein said.

Smith had started that game at nickel with starter Aaron Gates out with an unspecified injury, and he recorded four tackles with one tackle for loss in the win before leaving hurt. A Sea of Blue's Dylan Ballard reported his knee buckled while he was rushing LaNorris Sellers late in the game. Per KSR, the Charlotte native from the 2024 class will return in 2027 with two years of eligibility left. Kevis Thomas and Nasir Addison have taken snaps at nickel behind Gates since Smith went down.

Stein had more injury news. Reserve linebacker Antwan Smith is recovering from a lower ankle injury and is "probably doubtful for sure," Stein said. KSR does not expect him back in the regular season, though he could return for the postseason. Alex Afari Jr. has emerged as the third linebacker, with Tavion Wallace in the rotation.

What to watch: Florida comes to Kroger Field on Saturday, per A Sea of Blue. Keep an eye on whether Gates is back as the starting nickel, and how much Thomas and Addison play when Kentucky goes to five defensive backs. Heal up, Jaden.

Sources: Kentucky Sports Radio, A Sea of Blue