Player comparison

Jelani McDonald

Dean Kindig

Track guy. SOPHOMORE (2024): Played in 14 games with four starts. Appeared in season opener vs. Colorado State (8/31) and registered two tackles. Played in road win at No. 10/9 Michigan (9/7) and carded two tackles (one solo stop). Made two tackles (one solo) vs. Mississippi State (9/28). Compiled three tackles (two solo) against Oklahoma (10/12). Had a half tackle in scouted game against Georgia (10/19). Logged a career-high seven tackles (five solo), including his first career tackle for loss, in the road victory at Vanderbilt (10/26). Followed with a four-tackle (one solo) effort in the scouted home win against Florida (11/9). Recorded one solo tackle and a pass break-up in road win at Arkansas (11/16). Snagged his first career interception against Kentucky (11/23). Had two assisted tackles in the scouted road win at Texas A&M on (11/30). Saw action in the SEC Championship vs. Georgia (12/7). Made three tackles (two solo) in the CFP First Round vs. Clemson (12/21). Recorded six stops (two solo) in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Arizona State (1/1). Played against Ohio State in the CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl (1/10) but did not record any statistics.

Quay'sheed Scott

Dean Kindig

1 solo, 1 asst, 1 PBU vs Ole Miss while with KY. Kilgore's successor. Scott is a versatile and hard-hitting defensive back who officially transferred to the South Carolina Gamecocks for the upcoming 2026 college football season. A native of Marion, South Carolina, the 6-foot, 196-pound defender spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats. Scott enjoyed a major breakout sophomore campaign in 2025. He started all 12 games in the Wildcats' secondary—splitting time between cornerback and nickel safety—while racking up 39 tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception that he returned 55 yards against Florida. Kentucky Breakout (2024–2025). He played in 23 games for the Wildcats. During his sophomore year, he started all 12 games at nickel. He logged 39 tackles and grabbed one interception that he returned for 55 yards against Florida. South Carolina Transfer (2026). Returns to his home state, competing to take over the starting nickel back position for the Gamecocks' defense. Scott was brought in out of the transfer portal specifically to compete for and take over the nickel back spot that Jalon left behind.