I think we have to wait until the Spring Game. I found this from FOCO and another site had something similar, which differed from 247.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...serves-on-defense-for-2024-season/ar-BB1hNM5M It sounded like these articles had more inside information.
They had Jaylen Wester in as the other ILB playing next to Bentley. PFF had graded Wester as a 94.2 run stopper; which was Top 10 or 15. I watched some highlights and he has solid LB instincts, can get off a block, and good tackler (hope that does not come back to bite me). On the Spring Roster recently released, Bentley, Wester, Kennedy, Gant and the 3 Freshman are listed at ILB. Woods is listed as just an LB. Many others are listed as OLB, as they did away with the Edge on the roster. Keaton Wade played LB at Kentucky last year, 6'4" 245. I think we are going to more of a 4-3 on run downs/base, then maybe 4-2-5 on others. I believe they will look to the portal for a stout ILB, if they can find one. The upside that I found in the article is that it sounds like the Dline is bigger, deeper, more experienced and improved.
We'll have to see how Spring and Fall shake out, but we are loaded at S with 8 guys, who have experience and many Jrs/Srs. I do not think TW had a shot at moving back to S with significant playing time, but could be wrong. I could envision them trying Woods at a LB position on passing downs; but he had an extremely rough go stopping the run at LB. I don't fault him for his play given new position change mid-season, however he did have trouble finding the correct gap and getting off a block. He is a Sr. and has been a good player for the Buffs, thus certainly deserves a shot. A better Dline could make the LB play easier.
Also, DJ McKinney listed at CB is a very solid open field tackler. Depending on how Cormarti McClain shakes out, he could be our extra DB (or Hodge) in covering the underneath/slot on passing downs in a 4-2-5, if they do not play 3 S's.