Sam Greene returns for Kentucky opener as Jovantae Barnes remains sidelined

Kentucky enters its season opener against Youngstown State with personnel updates on both sides of the ball. Head coach Will Stein confirmed that senior outside linebacker Sam Greene is available for play after recovering from an ACL injury that cut his 2025 season short. Conversely, the team will play without running back Jovantae Barnes. Barnes has been unavailable since sustaining an injury during spring practice. The absence of the Oklahoma transfer leaves the running back group shorthanded as the Wildcats prepare for their first game under Stein. Kentucky will rely on its remaining backfield options to compensate for the loss of Barnes while integrating Greene back into the defensive rotation.

• 8:37 PMYahoo Sports — Kentucky’s Sam Greene available for opener vs. Youngstown State; Jovantae Barnes out