Kentucky football coach Will Stein took a big risk late in Saturday's game against Oklahoma. Deep in Sooners territory, the Wildcats elected to try and convert on 4th down rather than take the field goal, and go up by four points. The play failed, and could have ended in disaster. After the play, however, safety Jordan Castell told his coach, "I got your back."
He did.
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer dropped back to pass just a few minutes later, and throw down the middle to his receiver. Castell was there, though, to intercept the pass, his second of the day, and he returned it for a touchdown.
For the day, Castell recorded 9 tackles, 2 interceptions, a pass defended, and a touchdown. It didn't take long for the SEC to award him the conference
Defensive Player of the Week award. Now, just a few days later, he's racking up national awards as well.
Castell's play earned him the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week, and the Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week in addition to his SEC honor. His big week continues a terrific 2026 season to this point.
Kentucky has one of the top safety units in the country. Castell and Ty Bryant, who also had two picks in the game, have been everything fans hoped they would be.
Congratulations to Castell on his awards.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky safety Jordan Castell racks up more week seven honors
