< Previous2023 - Junior (Team Captain) n Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List n Named one of seven permanent team captains for the season n Started in all 13 games n Totaled 59 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, three PBUs and a fumble recovery n Got a season-high eight tackles vs. Tennessee and also vs. Clemson in the Gator Bowl 2022 - Sophomore n Played in all 13 games with his first career start coming against No. 1 Georgia n Totaled 34 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack and two pass breakups n Had a season-high nine tackles in his starting debut against top-ranked Georgia n Followed that performance with five tackles, his first career sack and a PBU in the win over Louisville n Appeared in 24 games with 14 starts in two seasons at Texas State n Named to the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll 2021 - r-Freshman (Texas State) n Played in all 12 of the Bobcats’ games with eight starting nods n Tallied 74 tackles (41 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles n Ranked 17th in the Sun Belt in total tackles, 10th in the conference in solo tackles and third on the team in tackles 2020 - Freshman (Texas State) n Played in 12 games with six starts at nickelback n Recorded 61 tackles to tie for fifth among team leaders Community Cats n Volunteered with the local Ronald McDonald House Charities (2023) n Visited patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (2023) Personal n Born in Houston, Texas n Son of Cynthia and Deric Childress n Has two siblings, Deric Jr. and C’Nai n Cousins R.J. Jackson (WR) and Marcus Jackson (QB) played college football at LSU and TCU, respectively n Graduated in May of ‘24 with a degree in communication ... Currently working on a second degree in kinesiology with a minor in coaching Zion SAYS n His nickname is “Champ” n He chose Kentucky because it offered him the best opportunity to fulfill his dreams n One word to describe him on the field is “ballhawk” n Three words to describe him are smart, passionate, and caring n His favorite family recipe to make and eat is gumbo 28 @UKFootball ZION CHILDRESS 6-0 n 195 n Sr-2L n Houston, Texas #11 n DB Whether supporting their team on the field or each other in the community, Big Blue Nation is committed to the success of the Wildcat family. The UK Alumni Association operates under the same game plan as it works to serve the students, alumni and friends of the University of Kentucky. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE When you stand for and with UK, you’re investing in the future of the university and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Show your true colors by becoming a Life or Active Member of the UK Alumni Association today! www.ukalumni.net/membership2024 - *Senior n Announced via social media he will return for his sixth and final season in 2024 n Has played in 44 career games with 35 straight starting assignments 2023 - Senior (Team Captain) n Second Team All-SEC (Coaches) n Named one of seven permanent team captains for the season n Started in all 13 games in 2023, starting at right guard in the first three games before moving back to center vs. Vanderbilt (played center in 2022) n Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List n Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll 2022 - Junior n Named to the Frank G. Ham Society of Character which honors Wildcats who have shown an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model n Outland Trophy Watch List n Named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List 2021 - Sophomore n Midseason All-American (ESPN, AP) n Earned his first career start vs. ULM 2020 - r-Freshman n Back up at left guard behind Kenneth Horsey n Saw action in eight games n Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll 2019 - Freshman n Redshirt season n Saw his first collegiate action vs. UT Martin Personal n Born in Nicholasville, Kentucky n Son of John and Katherine Cox n Got married in January of ‘24 to Lauryn Willis n Siblings are Avery and Ellie n Graduated in May of 2022 with a degree in integrated strategic communication with a business minor ... Currently working on a graduate certificate in sport, fitness and recreation management n One of three representatives for UK football on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the fourth straight year (2021-24) ... Also elected to the SEC Football Leadership Council in 2022 and 2023 ... Elected chair of the Leadership Council in 2023-24 Eli SAYS n He chose Kentucky because he wanted to represent his state n His hidden talent is his photoshop skills n His dream job is to go into sports broadcasting n One word to describe him on the field is “aggressive” n If he could create a holiday he would call it “National Super Bowl Monday” and everyone would have the day off after the Super Bowl 30 @UKFootball ELI COX 6-4 n 309 n Sr-3L n Nicholasville, Ky. #75 n OL The Mark Stoops Show SUBSCRIBE TO PODCASTS TODAY!2024 - *Senior n Announced via social media he will return for his seventh and final season in 2024 n Transferred to Kentucky after five seasons at Northern Illinois (2018-2022) n Only allowed three sacks in over 1,000 snaps at NIU according to PFF n Has played in 49 career games with 46 starts (34 of 36 games at NIU; 13 of 13 at UK) 2023 - Senior n Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List n Earned his first start at UK in the season opener vs. Ball State at left tackle and has started in all 13 games 2022 - Junior (Northern Illinois) n Started in four games at left tackle before missing the final eight due to a season- ending injury at Kroger Field in a loss to Kentucky 2021 - Sophomore (Northern Illinois) n Named to Phil Steele’s All-MAC fourth team after starting all 14 games at left tackle 2020 - Sophomore (Northern Illinois) n Started in six games at left tackle n Anchored a line that helped the NIU offense average 365.7 yards of total offense per game 2019 - r-Freshman (Northern Illinois) n Started in 10 of 12 games played as a key member of the offensive line and a special teams contributor 2018 - Freshman (Northern Illinois) n Redshirt season Community Cats n Volunteers at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, visiting with the kids and playing games each week (2023-present) Personal n Name is pronounced “Marcus” n Born in Peoria, Illinois n Son of Ruthie and Gregory Cox n Has two brothers, Maurice and Martez n Graduated from NIU in May of 2022 with a degree in marketing with a professional sales certificate ... Completed an undergraduate certificate in business in December of ‘23 ... Currently working on a graduate certificate in sport, fitness and recreation management Marques SAYS n His nickname is “Big Marq” n He chose Kentucky because the people were amazing and it felt like home n His dream job is to be a stay-at-home dad n Three words to describe him are nice, funny and respectful n His favorite family recipe to make is his mom Ruthie’s chicken and potatoes 32 @UKFootball MARQUES COX 6-5 n 318 n Sr-TR n Peoria, Ill. #69 n OL 2023 - Sophomore n Saw action in 11 games, with two starting assignments vs. Akron and Florida n Did not play in the final two regular- season games vs. South Carolina and at Louisville with a hand injury n Totaled 12 catches for 270 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per reception n Had a career-high tying four receptions vs. Tennessee and vs. Akron n Caught a career-long 72-yard catch vs. Clemson in the Gator Bowl n Dean’s List (Fall 2023) n Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll 2022 - r-Freshman n Freshman All-SEC n Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (College Football News, On3.com) n Dean’s List (Fall 2022) n Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll n Played in all 13 games with 12 starts n Totaled 20 catches (fourth-highest on the team) for 220 yards (fourth-highest) and three scores n Recorded two catches for 11 yards in his first collegiate start in the season opener vs. Miami (Ohio) 2021 - Freshman n Saw action in four games (ULM, Miss. State, Vanderbilt, NMST) n Caught first career pass for 31 yards in the season opener vs. ULM n Dean’s List (Fall 2021) Community Cats n Volunteered with the Kentucky Children’s Hospital at the Barbasol mini golf event (2021) n Volunteered for the My New Kentucky Home Special Olympics event (2021) High School n A four-star prospect by ESPN and a three-star recruit by Rivals and 247sports n Ranked the No. 5 player in the state and a top-25 tight end nationally by Rivals and 247sports Personal n Born in Manning, South Carolina n Son of Tonya and Justice Dingle n Younger brother of former Wildcat Justice Dingle n Graduated in May of ‘24 with a degree in clinical leadership and management ... Currently working on a master’s degree in sport leadership Jordan SAYS n His nickname is “The Professor” n He chose Kentucky because it had a great family feeling n Other than play in the NFL, his dream job is to be a CEO of a hospital n Three words to describe him are hardworking, trustworthy and intelligent n One thing most people don’t know about him is that he likes to ride four- wheelers 34 @UKFootball JORDAN DINGLE 6-4 n 242 n Jr-2L n Bowling Green, Ky. #85 n TE 2024 - Senior n Transferred to Kentucky after three seasons at Georgia n Played in 38 career games with 24 starting assignments and helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 n Has 126 career tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble 2023 - Junior (Georgia) n Started in nine games, missing four due to injury n Earned a spot on the several national watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award n Selected to the AP Preseason All-America First Team and The Sporting News Preseason All-America First Team 2022 - Sophomore (Georgia) n Had a fantastic season as a true sophomore, becoming a finalist for the Butkus Award and being named a First-Team All-American by Sporting News and ESPN n Earned second-team All-America honors by The Associated Press, AFCA and The Athletic n Named to the Associated Press All-SEC second team 2021 - Freshman (Georgia) n Played in 14 of UGA’s 15 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams as a true freshman High School n Was ranked a four-star prospect and was the nation’s No. 10 linebacker coming out of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland n Featured on HBO’s “The Cost of Winning” documentary Personal n First name is pronounced “jah-MON” n Born in Hyattsville, Maryland/Prince George’s County n Son of Jimmie Dumas and Julia Johnson n Has six siblings - Javon, Jimmie, Brandon, Niko, Daron and Daenard n Twin brother, Javon, is younger by 19 minutes n Major is community and leadership development Pop SAYS n Nickname is “Pop” n He chose Kentucky because it was the best fit n One thing most people don’t know is he’s a twin n Three words to describe him are funny, loud and understanding n One thing he will never do again is swim in the ocean 6-1 n 245 n Sr-TR n Hyattsville, Md. #2 n LB @UKSportsNetwork 352023 - Sophomore n Second Team All-SEC (Phil Steele, Coaches and AP) n Honorable Mention All-America (CFN, Phil Steele) n Second Team Midseason All-America (AP) n Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll n Started in all 13 games n Ranked fifth nationally in total interceptions with five n Led the SEC in interceptions (5), interception returns (26.20), interception return yards (131), interception return TDs (2) n His five interceptions tied for fifth- most interceptions in a single season in program history n Became just the sixth player in league annals to have two pick-sixes in one game 2022 - r-Freshman n Played in 12 games and totaled two tackles n Got a career-best two tackles in the win over Youngstown State 2021 - Freshman n Redshirt season High School n Rated a three-star prospect by 247sports n Ranked the No. 19 prospect in Michigan and No. 65 cornerback nationally by 247sports n A two-way player at defensive back and wide receiver for head coach Ron Bellamy n Voted team captain as a senior n Named first-team All-State by the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News n Named to the All-Oakland Athletic Association Team in 2020 n Honor roll student n Member of the school’s choir Personal n Born in West Bloomfield, Michigan n Son of Robin and Marvin Hairston n Has three older siblings Alexandria, Madison, and Marvin n Cousin, Jaylin Bannerman, played football two seasons at UK; cousin, Taiwan Jones, played football at Michigan State and with the New York Jets; cousin, Lyndsey Hairston, played basketball at Michigan State and later in the NBA and overseas n On track to graduate in December ‘24 with a degree in community leadership and development Maxwell SAYS n His nickname is “Mad Max” n Other than play in the NFL, his dream job is to be a businessman or coach n He chose Kentucky because he saw an opportunity he couldn’t resist n One thing most people don’t know about him is that he can sing n One word to describe him on the field is “greedy” 36 @UKFootball MAXWELL HAIRSTON 6-1 n 186 n Jr-2L n West Bloomfield, Mich. #1 n DB Next >