Alex Afari Jr. cleared to play and rostered for season opener
- Kentucky fifth-year defender Alex Afari Jr. was cleared and listed on the 2026 roster as an inside linebacker before the Youngstown State opener.
- Afari has 31 collegiate starts and could immediately help Kentucky's linebacker concerns if he is in game shape after an uneven fall camp availability process.
- Will Stein still has discretion over whether Afari plays, and prior comments from teammates suggested he had been barely practicing while his eligibility situation was sorted out.
- Kentucky's FCS opener against Youngstown State was presented as a potential chance to evaluate how game-ready Afari is.
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James Gibson and Cutter Leftwich Named to 247 Sports 30Under30 List
- LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky football assistant coaches James Gibson and Cutter Leftwich were named to the 2026 edition of the 247 Sports’ 30Under30 List, recognizing the fastest-rising personnel and assistant coaches in college football.
- The list is in its 10th year and is compiled by a bevy of contacts across the industry.
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