Athlon Sports Names Three Wildcats Preseason All-SEC
Three Wildcats have been named to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference team by Athlon Sports, it was announced this week. Graduate offensive linemen Joshua Braun was named to the third team, while senior inside linebacker Alex Afari Jr. and senior defensive back JQ Hardaway earned fourth-team honors.
Braun, of Live Oak, Florida, is a 6-foot-6, 340-pound offensive lineman who transferred to Kentucky in January after two seasons at Arkansas and three seasons at Florida. He has played in 50 career games with 32 career starts. Last season at Arkansas, he started in all 12 games and played an integral role in helping Arkansas rush for 200-plus yards in its first three games of the season. In 2023, he was named second-team All-SEC by The Associated Press.
Braun earned a bachelor’s degree in classical studies from Florida in December 2022 and a master’s of business administration from Arkansas in December 2024. He is currently working on a graduate certificate in nonprofit management at UK.
Afari, a senior inside linebacker from Cincinnati, has totaled 132 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups in three seasons as a Wildcat.
He ranked third on the team in total tackles as a junior with 62 and led the team in tackles for loss with 11.0. He posted a career-high 10 tackles at Tennessee and vs. Louisville.
Afari, a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and Dean’s List, is on track to graduate in the Spring of 2026 with a degree in communication.
Hardaway, a native of North Jackson, Ohio, enters his third season at Kentucky after transferring from Cincinnati in 2023. Last season, he started in all 12 games for the Wildcats and totaled 47 tackles (fifth on the team), four pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble. His first career interception came in the win over Southern Miss and he also grabbed one vs. Auburn. In the Ole Miss win, he charted a career and team-high 11 tackles and forced his first career fumble, which UK recovered.
Hardaway is majoring in health promotion with a minor in coaching.
Kentucky opens its 2025 football season on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Kroger Field vs. Toledo. The Rockets will be the first of seven home games. Those interested in buying tickets can take advantage of the overall value on season-ticket packages starting at $300.
Fans looking to buy tickets for the biggest games in the best seat locations, while avoiding markups on secondary market pricing, can request a call or contact the UK Sales Office directly at (800) 928-2287 (Option 1) or send an email to GroupSales@uky.edu for more information.
Mini-pack tickets for the 2025 football season are now available through UKFootballTix.com. Fans can choose three-game packages starting at $131 per ticket package. Prices vary based on opponent and seat location.
Fans can choose three-game and four-game packages.
- Three-game (Starting at $131)
- Choose one game between the Ole Miss and Florida games
- Choose two games between Toledo, EMU, Tennessee Tech
- Four-Game (Starting at $201)
- Includes both of the Ole Miss and Florida games
- Choose two games between Toledo, EMU, Tennessee Tech
Single-Game Tickets
Based on availability, tickets for single games will go on sale to the public later this summer. Verified resale tickets are available now for all home games through the UK Athletics Official Marketplace powered by Ticketmaster.
Current football season ticket holders will have a presale opportunity for any remaining single-game tickets, pending availability. Season ticket holders will receive more information by email.
Group ticket information is now available directly through the UK Sales Office by calling (800) 928-2287 (Option 1) or reaching out via email at GroupSales@uky.edu. To learn more about ticket options starting at just $26 for groups of 15 or more, visit UKathletics.com/Groups.
Away Game Tickets
Fans may also request tickets for Kentucky football’s road games at South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Louisville. Seat locations within the UK allotment will be assigned later this summer according to K Fund priority ranking, and football season ticket holders who order by June 27 will have priority in the assignment process.
Tailgate Options
UK Athletics and REVELxp have teamed up once again this year to offer turnkey, hassle-free tailgating for Kentucky football fans! All tailgates are located steps away from Kroger Field and offer a variety of package offerings to accommodate all groups. To learn more about tailgate packages, click here.
