Kentucky Starting Cornerback Ruled Academically Ineligible

Starting cornerback for the University of Kentucky, Paul Warford, has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2008 football season.

Warford, a junior, had 41 tackles in 2007 with a tackle for a loss.

In 2006 he had 34 tackles with a tackle for a loss.

He also had to two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Warford has played in 24 games and started 14 in his two-year college-playing career.

He can redshirt a year and still have two years of eligibility remaining.

This is a major blow to the UK defense. UK has several key back-ups but he will be missed in a huge way on the run defense.

This comes at the added concern of senior offensive lineman Christian Johnson. Johnson is still uncertain if he will be able to play because of a back injury and eligibility issues. Like Warford, Johnson can sit out this year and be back on the team in 2009.

Johnson has played in 36 games and started 15.

Just 27 days until UK travels down I-65 to play rival Louisville for the battle of the commonwealth.