Kentucky will be playing a more aggressive style of defensive football in 2026 under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. That means creating more havoc. The pass rush must come up big. A transfer addition is positioning himself to help increase Kentucky’s havoc production.

Antonio O’Berry started his college journey in Division II before spending the last two seasons in the FBS. This outside linebacker/defensive end recorded 52 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 72 pressures last season with Gardner-Webb. Kentucky jumped on the free agent quickly in January. This 6-foot-6 and 244-pound outside linebacker can help the Wildcats on passing downs.

“Veteran player. Young man we had a really good relationship with one of our guys on our staff,” Bateman said on Saturday. “Talented. NFL scouts have asked me about him — that’s usually a good sign. I think he’ll be in the mix to help us. Especially on pass downs.”

Kentucky assistant cornerbacks coach Ty Holder played for Bateman at Ball State and was a graduate assistant under the defensive coordinator for two years at North Carolina before becoming the cornerbacks coach at Gardner-Webb. The young assistant helped Kentucky in this recruitment after coaching the edge rusher. O’Berry was receiving interest from Ohio State, Miami, Georgia Tech, and West Virginia before committing to the Wildcats. That portal win was needed since there is an injury at Jack linebacker.

Former USC transfer Sam Greene is currently practicing with Kentucky but still recovering from an ACL injury suffered in November after recording 25 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 18 pressures in 338 snaps for the Cats last fall. Fellow former USC transfer Lorenzo Cowan replaced Greene in the lineup last year. He will also be in the mix this season. So will O’Berry. This FCS transfer could help elevate UK’s pass rush. The free agent has generated some buzz early in fall.

“AOB is a really good pass rusher,” Kentucky head coach Will Stein said. “He’s had, I think, the top speed at the edge group the past two days. So really impressive person overall and excited about his opportunity with us.”

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: Antonio O’Berry

Kentucky’s defense will look different in 2026 but the usage of a Jack linebacker will still be prevalent. The Wildcats went to the transfer portal to address this position in the offseason. The Cats made a big push for FCS transfer Antonio O’Berry.

This was my scouting write-up of the Dayton native with one year of eligibility remaining.

The Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne product started his career in Division II at Tiffin University in Ohio and only played in two games his first few seasons. However, a big redshirt sophomore year (35 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) led to an opportunity at FCS Gardner-Webb. O’Berry would then spend two seasons with the Bulldogs. During that time, the edge defender logged 9.5 sacks on 72 pressures along with 52 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2025. O’Berry went from a skinny player at Tiffin to a filled out 6-foot-6 frame at 240 pounds at Gardner-Webb.

This multi-time transfer owns a big frame and that shows up tape. O’Berry is a smooth mover as an edge rusher who can run the hoop. Owns a good ghost move as a speed rusher. Gave Georgia Tech some issues and recorded a sack fumble against likely Florida QB starter Aaron Philo in that game. Showed good athleticism in space when chasing bootlegs or dropping into coverage. Would like to see his motor run hotter in pursuit. Must prove he can hold up in run fits as he levels up.

Pass rush defensive end who can bend the corner and should have a big role in Kentucky’s third down defensive package this season.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: What Kentucky added to roster in transfer portal