Before the Cats officially begin the 2026 season, KSR is taking a closer look at the roster and analyzing each position group. Safety is up next where Kentucky has the most experienced starting tandem in college football. Gates is a safety who found a home playing nickel in a 4-2-5 simulated pressure-heavy scheme that will be similar to what Kentucky utilizes under Bateman. Luckett’s Play Sheet: 12 Kentucky players that have my attention through first week of fall campKentucky’s Safety RoomJosh Christian-Young played safety in Division II at Central Missouri from 2006-10 for head coach Willie Fritz. Kentucky did not add anyone at safety in the 2026 high school recruiting class.