DeQuin Evans was Kentucky’s only preseason all-Southeastern Conference selection after making 38 tackles last year and leading the Wildcats with six sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. But in two games this year, he has no tackles.
Here’s what UK coach Joker Phillips had to say about Evans’ play:
Question: Are teams running away from Evans more?
Phillips: “They're not doing anything different. Defensive linemen do not make a lot of tackles. Corey Peters had 56 tackles last year. Defensive linemen just don't make a lot of tackles. He's made some plays, but he's not showing up as much as we like in the past game.
“In the box scores, not a lot of defensive linemen are making tackles. But he will make plays for us before the year's up, a lot of plays. More than 56, I would think.
“Corey made 56 tackles, and he was a dominant player. You think those guys make plays. The guys have to make the plays. A lot of times those guys hold the gap, turned the ball back inside, turned the ball into the defensive linemen and also to the linebackers.”
