Kentucky football junior Jason Hatcher was arrested Monday morning at about 2:35 AM on multiple charges, including drug trafficking (8 oz. to < 5 lbs.), drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, and driving over the speed limit.

It didn’t take long after his arrest until it was announced Hatcher had been dismissed from the football team. The official word on the matter is that head coach Mark Stoops made the decision on Hatcher after a “violation of team rules”.

The news wasn’t all that surprising given Hatcher’s numerous off the field issues. This is Hatcher’s third disciplinary problem within the last three years at UK.

Hatcher was charged in May of 2014 with UofL receiver and former Trinity High School teammate James Quick on marijuana-related offenses. Those charges were later dropped.

This past season, Hatcher was suspended for the first two games of the season for violation of team rules late in the off-season.

Coming out of high school, Hatcher was a highly coveted four-star prospect out of Louisville, Kentucky. UK had to fight off some of the top schools in the country to sign him such as Alabama, USC, Florida, Auburn, and UofL.

With so much promise coming to UK, Hatcher had yet to live up to his potential, and was expected to become one of the top players on defense this season.

With linebackers Josh Forrest, Khalid Henderson, and Ryan Flannigan graduating, along with defensive ends Jabari Johnson and Farrington Huguenin, Hatcher was poised to have a breakout year and help out his NFL draft stock tremendously.

Hatcher has played both defensive end and outside linebacker throughout his career at UK, and would have likely continued that trend going into his senior year.

Though Hatcher’s absence hurts the defense, the team must have a “next man up” mentality if they want to reach their desired success this season. Luckily for UK football, young talent and depth at the linebacker position is something the Cats have.

Last season, Denzil Ware stepped in early and made the most of his playing time, showing great potential for coming years. Ware was likely a starter from day one before Hatcher’s dismissal, and now will almost certainly be.

Ware plays a similar role as Hatcher, providing help at both defensive end and outside linebacker, depending on the defensive scheme. Ware’s presence will be essential for defensive success this upcoming year, but who else will provide major reps to compensate for Hatcher’s dismissal?

At defensive end, sophomore Kengera Daniel and senior Alvonte Bell will likely gather plenty of reps. Daniel graduated a semester early in high school and enrolled at UK last January. He earned early playing time last season, and will certainly get more this season.

Bell’s situation is a little different, as he was initially part of UK’s 2013 recruiting class, but enrolled in junior college due to academic issues. He enrolled at UK last season as a junior, but didn’t make much of an impact this season.

Practice reports on Bell have been outstanding, and the staff is expecting major production out of him this season. Look for Bell to ease Hatcher’s loss greatly.

At outside linebacker, however, there are a few more question marks. Sophomore Josh Allen was Hatcher’s backup on the last updated depth chart last season at outside linebacker, so it is expected he will receive many reps this season, as well.

As far as other players receiving reps, sophomore Eli Brown is a name to watch heading into spring practices. Brown was a highly coveted four-star prospect coming out of high school, and the staff sees a lot of potential out of him.

With some hard work on the field and in the weight room heading into the season, Brown could sneak his way into becoming an impact player on defense.

Though Hatcher’s dismissal is a major gut-check to the defense and certainly hurts, it’s no reason to panic for UK fans. Stoops has brought in tremendous talent in his recruiting classes since Hatcher’s arrival on campus, and they will likely step in and contribute immediately.