UK Athletics
Read more
Dae’OneWilkins
- title Graduate Assistant – Defense
- Dae’One (pronounced DAY-one) Wilkins is in his first season as a graduate assistant at Kentucky, working closely with the defensive backs.
- Came to Kentucky in 2024 after one season as a defensive assistant/nickels coach at his alma mater Furman in Greenville, South Carolina with head coach Clay Hendrix and defensive coordinator Duane Vaughn.
- Part of a Furman team who went 10-3 overall, won the 2023 Southern Championship and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the FCS Playoffs.
- Helped the Paladin defense rank among the best in the FCS in 2023 … Led the SoCon in rushing defense (96.9 ypg), total defense (316.0 ypg), scoring defense (18.2 ppg), sacks (38), third down percentage defense (.322), fourth down conversion defense (.385), red zone percentage defense (.722), interceptions (18), turnovers gained (27), and turnover margin (+1.31).
- Tutored nickel back Cally Chizik who was named to the 2023 Walter Camp FCA All-America Team and was a consensus All-Southern Conference selection after totaling 64 tackles and a team-high five interceptions.
- Three-year starter at Furman from 2020-22.
- Elected team captain as a senior in 2022.
- Playing defensive back, spur and special teams, helped the Paladins win the 2018 SoCon Championship and advanced to the FCA Playoffs in 2019 (first round) and 2022 (second round).
- Earned a degree in health sciences from Furman in 2022.
- Two-time member of the SoCon Academic Honor Roll (2021 and 2022).
- Originally from Spring Hope, North Carolina where he was elected team captain as a junior and senior and played on three conference championship teams, helping Southern Nash High School compile a 42-11 record during his prep career.
- Currently working on a master’s degree in kinesiology & health promotion at UK.