By LARRY VAUGHT
(LEXINGTON, Ky.)-DJ Waller played in 11 games and had 12 tackles and one pass breakup as a true freshman for Michigan’s 2023 national championship team before transferring to Kentucky last season.
He went from a 15-0 national championship team in 2023 to a 4-8 team in 2024 at Kentucky. He played in seven games with starts against Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Florida and Auburn before missing the last four games with an injury.
Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins is counting on Waller to help anchor UK’s secondary this season.
“He has continued to elevate his work ethic, his preparations. He has continued to grow his maturity both on and off the field,” Collins said. “I am so excited about where he is and he needs to continue to take those steps necessary going through those fires to be the player he can be.”
Waller admits last season was “different” for him but he has no regrets about being at Kentucky.
“I always say, ‘I trust the Lord, and I trust myself, and I trust my purpose.’ So I know coming over here was right for me,” Waller said. “I am working every day to be a better version of myself. I am really locked in this year mentally. That’s the main thing for me.
“The athletic stuff was easy for me. Just mentally, knowing who I am, knowing what I can do on the field, I’m starting to figure that out now. I’m starting to come out of that shell and realize who DJ Waller is.”
Waller says he is “laid back and not really a party guy.” He does like to spend time writing music.
“In my free time, I get bored and I just kind of write stuff out on my life. You know, stuff I went through, the pain, everything. It’s just my way to express my feelings,” Waller said. “When I was a kid, I used to put on YouTube videos and just rap to it. I just always liked doing that.”
Waller sometimes will be on the practice field and just “freestyle” a song.
“I feel like everybody should have that one little thing they do on their own, just to relax. And that’s one thing I know,” he said.
Cornerback DJ Waller and UK coach Mark Stoops were all smiles at UK’s Media Day. (Vicky Graff Photo)