StevenSoles Jr.

2025 – Sophomore
• Nickname is Steven “Sack ‘em” Soles
• Saw action in 11 games … Did not play vs. Tennessee with illness
• Totaled 11 tackles, including 4.5 TFL, a team-high tying 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup
• Had a career-best two quarterback sacks (-20 yards), causing a fumble on both plays, in the opener vs. Toledo … Finished with three total tackles … First player to have two sacks in a game since Octavious Oxendine had two at Ole Miss on Sept. 28, 2024
• Got his first career PBU vs. Eastern Michigan
• Recorded a career-high two quarterback hurries in the win over Florida
• Had two pass rush plays with a pass breakup and quarterback hurry in the win over Tennessee Tech

2024 – Freshman
• Saw action in 11 games and totaled five tackles, including 2.0 TFL, a sack and a quarterback hurry
• Missed the Tennessee game with injury
• Got his first career tackle and sack vs. South Carolina
• Also had a tackle and a quarterback hurry vs. Ohio
• Recorded a career-high two tackles and a TFL at Florida

High School
• Rated as a unanimous three-star recruit by ESPN, On3, 247Sports and Rivals
• ESPN listed him as the No. 70 linebacker in the nation and the No. 21 player in Tennessee
• Four-year starter at Powell High School under head coach Matt Lowe
• Recorded 66 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks (-23 yards) and 38 quarterback hurries, all of which were team highs, as a senior in 2023
• Added four pass deflections, one interception returned for 38 yards, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt and one blocked field goal
• Helped his team to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Tennessee Division I Class 5A quarterfinals
• Named the Class 5A Region 2 Most Valuable Player, The Knoxville Focus and Coaches Poll Player of the Year and a semifinalist for Class 5A Mr. Football in 2023
• Chose Kentucky over offers from Alabama, Miami and Tulane

Personal
• Born in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Son of Antonia Whitmore and Steven Soles Sr.
• Siblings are Shamiyah Whitmore, Markise Witt Jr., Key’Juan Witt and Shemar Soles
• Major is communication

Steven Says
• He chose Kentucky because of the people and the culture
• After the NFL, his dream job is to be a high school football coach
• One thing most people don’t know about him is that he can rap
• Three words to describe him are cool, funny and enthusiastic
• The craziest thing he’s ever done is swim with sharks