Kentucky opened the season without a handful of important pieces, but the Wildcats expect that list to shrink fast.
The most notable absences in the win over Youngstown State came on the back end, where Kentucky was missing both starting cornerbacks, Terhyon Nichols and Hasaan Sykes. Their absence wasn’t glaring right away, but it showed up when Youngstown’s Beau Brungard completed 11 of 15 passes for 95 yards and tossed a second-quarter touchdown.
Both Sykes and Nichols were in full uniform for the game, and after the win, Stein said neither was dealing with anything long term.
“Just stuff that they kind of dealt with over the last month or so, you know, fall camp blues a little bit,” said the Kentucky head coach. “I’m expecting Hassan to be out there next week, and we will see on Terhyon’s status, but Hassan should be ready to roll.”
Nichols’ situation stands out because Kentucky has high hopes for him. A major recruiting win for the program, he drew strong preseason praise from Jay Bateman, who viewed the third-year cornerback as one of the defense’s best players. That’s the kind of presence Kentucky would love to have back in time for Alabama.
Even without Nichols, Isaiah McMillian handled himself like anything but a true freshman. Youngstown State tried to test him, and it didn’t pay off.
He finished with a team-high seven tackles, five of them solo, along with a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Stein said that kind of performance was no surprise.
“When he got his opportunity in practice, he played the exact same way,” said Stein. “Our second scrimmage, I think he had an interception, he had two fumble recoveries, and like seven tackles.
I’m like, ‘Dang, let’s play this game.’ He can go.
He’s smart, he’s tough, dependable, and really proud of him for just stepping up when his number is called.”
There’s also good news coming on the offensive side. Malachi Wood, who was a surprise scratch, is expected back against Alabama. Stein said the right tackle could have played against Youngstown State, but Kentucky chose to hold him out after he got tangled up in practice Monday and ended up with bruising in his calf.
“Malachi will be ready to roll (against Alabama). He really could have played,” said Stein.
“He kind of got tangled up a little early in practice on Monday, which was a complete freak deal. Nothing structurally wrong, just had some bruising in his calf and we said, you know what, we feel like Olaus (Alinen) can go out and play this game.”
Alinen stepped in and was strong when he kicked out from right guard, and the offensive line kept Kenny Minchey from being sacked.
Kentucky also turned to Adam Zouagui for place-kicking work, and he knocked through a 28-yarder in place of Jacob Kauwe, who is nearing the end of his recovery from a soft tissue issue.
“The time on task the last three weeks, we felt like it was our best option to put Adam out there who had been working the last three weeks,” said Stein.
Another name to watch is Alex Afari, who was cleared to return to the team on Friday. He played a few snaps, but Kentucky did not want to rush him straight back into a full workload as the Wildcats build toward SEC play.
The first SEC Availability Report is set to be released Wednesday night at approximately 8:15 PM EST.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Will Stein Era Opens With One Big Roster Question
Will Steins first game as Kentuckys head coach brings a fresh start to a program that has spent more than a decade with the same man on the sideline. The Wildcats open against Youngstown State at Kroger Field, with the usual early-season mix of optimism and uncertainty hanging over a roster that is already being shaped by the new staffs decisions and the reality of availability.
One of the biggest early talking points is at linebacker, where Alex Afari is eligible to play after a court ruling, giving Kentucky a notable option as Steins era begins. On the other side of the ledger, running back Jovantae Barnes will not be available because of injury, leaving a gap the Wildcats have to manage right away as they settle into a new season, a new coach and the rest of the road ahead on the 2026 schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Got Alex Afari Back But One Question Remains
Alex Afari is back on Kentuckys roster for the 2026 season opener, a notable development for a veteran linebacker whose status had been caught up in the NCAAs new five-year eligibility system. The Jefferson County judges decision to deny the NCAAs appeal of a temporary restraining order cleared the way for Afari to be added officially, and Kentucky listed him on the roster with No. 9 after he spent four seasons in Lexington.
For the Wildcats, the immediate significance is simple: a familiar defender is available again as the program navigates the ripple effects of the eligibility changes and the lawsuits attached to them. Afaris return gives Kentucky another experienced piece on defense, even as the broader question around how these cases are ultimately resolved still hangs over players who are trying to get one more season on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys New Offense Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe
Will Steins first Kentucky offense did what every new coaching staff wants to do on opening night: it looked organized, quick and in control right away. Against Youngstown State, the Wildcats opened with a crisp first drive that moved at a fast pace and showed an efficiency this fan base has been waiting to see, with the new system giving the offense an immediate sense of purpose.
Kenny Minchey handled the start cleanly and kept the drive on schedule, while the ground game finished the job in the red zone. The sequence ended with CJ Baxter punching in the score, and for a program trying to build confidence under a new head coach, the opener offered an early sign that the offense may have more rhythm than Kentucky has shown in recent years. [Read more 🡒]