There were not many positives in Kentucky football’s loss against South Carolina, but defensive back Zion Childress continued his great start to the season.

The senior transfer is on a defensive unit that is built on experience with a line that is headlined by Deone Walker, but Childress has still managed to stand out as he’s played some of his best football early on this season.

Childress spent two seasons at Texas State in which he appeared in 24 games before transferring to Lexington in 2022. In his first season in blue and white as a sophomore, Childress appeared in all 13 games and accumulated 34 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and two pass break-ups.

In his junior season in 2023, the Houston, Texas, native finished the season with 59 tackles, one sack, two tackles for a loss, three pass break-ups and one fumble recovery.

Coming into 2024 as a senior, Childress looked to continue raising his production and he got off to a good start in the team’s opener against Southern Miss by having a team-leading four tackles and a tackle for a loss. 

Building off a solid week one performance, Childress was a problem once again as he finished the South Carolina game with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack and a forced fumble.

Looking at his season totals so far, Childress leads the Wildcats with eight solo tackles and his nine total tackles is tied with D’Eryk Jackson for the team lead. 

When it comes to tackles for a loss, Childress is tied for the team lead with Alex Afari Jr. as both men have four tackles.

While there may be some questions about several aspects of this Kentucky team raised after being blown-out by the Gamecocks, it’s clear that Childress is primed to take the next step forward and continue his hot start to the year. 

Childress and the Wildcats will retake the field at home on Saturday, Sept. 14, when they take on No. 1 Gregoria with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ABC and ESPN+.