Freshman Cornerback M.J. Devonshire is Working with the First-Team Defense

In most years under Mark Stoops, the quarterback situation has been a big question mark during fall camp but that isn’t the case this season with Terry Wilson returning.

The question and concern with most of Big Blue Nation is the secondary, where the Wildcats lost a lot of talent to the NFL and graduation. Factor in Davante Robinson’s season ending injury and Kentucky is lacking experience on the back end of their defense.

With so many positions open entering fall camp, no one really knew who might step up and take a spot. We may have an answer to one of the cornerback positions.

During Tuesday’s media availability following practice, Vince Marrow said that freshman cornerback M.J. Devonshire is working with the first-team defense.

Interesting note from today. Vince Marrow said freshman corner MJ Devonshire is running with the first-team on defense right now.

— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) August 13, 2019

The 5-foot-11 cornerback from Aliquippa, Pa., was a February signing day addition for the Wildcats after going through the early signing period without making a decision. An explosive playmaker that scored 24 touchdowns in four different ways during his senior season of high school, Devonshire has the speed and athleticism to be a big time defensive talent for the Cats. As a senior, he totaled eight interceptions.

While it sounds like he is making an impact on defense, it will be interesting to see if he gets an opportunity on special teams in punt and kick return situations. He returned eight punts for touchdowns a year ago, one short of the national record.

Lynn Bowden has the punt return spot locked up for Kentucky this fall but Devonshire is excited to learn from him and fill his spot when it is available.

“Definitely trying to take advice from Lynn and get back there as much as possible,” said Devonshire during UK football media day. “I know I wont get too many reps because I can see Lynn doing something special back there this year, but once he’s gone, I’ll just step in and hopefully we don’t skip a beat. I’ll learn everything I can from him.”

Regardless of where he plays in 2019, it sure sounds like Devonshire is putting together a solid fall camp and will make an impact somewhere on the field.