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3 problematic Kentucky players vs. Texas

No. 3 Texas is readying up to face a Kentucky team capable of pulling off upsets against more talented teams in the SEC this fall, on Nov. 23 at DKR in Austin.

By Andrew Miller

Dane Key
Dane Key / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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JQ Hardaway
JQ Hardaway / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

JQ Hardaway, CB

Injuries have also hampered Kentucky's depth in the secondary this fall. Junior starting cornerback Maxwell Hairston has missed five games this season due to an injury. And fellow starting corner, former Michigan Wolverines transfer DJ Waller Jr. is listed with a status of "out" on this week's SEC-mandated injury report for Kentucky.

That leaves junior JQ Hardaway as Kentucky's most consistent and reliable cornerback this season and heading into the Texas game this weekend. Hardaway is Kentucky's only CB who has started all 10 games for the Wildcats secondary this season.

Hardaway's steady presence at the cornerback position has contributed to Kentucky's No. 3 ranked pass defense in the SEC. Only one SEC team has thrown for over 200 yards against Kentucky's pass defense this season. The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels were the only pass offense in the SEC to manage over 200 passing yards against Kentucky's defense this season, and the Wildcats still upset head coach Lane Kiffin by a score of 20-17 in that game in early September.

The 6-foot-3 and 190-pound corner and former Cincinnati transfer Hardaway is the type of lengthy and athletic DB in pass coverage that the Longhorns should be pretty familiar with. He's lanky enough to contest passes against some of the taller outside pass-catchers in the SEC.

Hardaway also has the quick hips and advanced understanding of developing route concepts to stick with quicker wideouts out of the slot and while contesting space one-on-one in the open field on defense.

It's noteworthy that Hardaway is one of just five SEC cornerbacks with multiple interceptions, pass breakups, and zero passing touchdowns allowed in pass coverage assignments (per PFF).

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