LEXINGTON – Upgraded facilities and general preseason excitement has football at the University of Kentucky ready for a fresh start.

The same can be said for Bowling Green natives Adrian Middleton and Eli Brown, two players expected to play big roles in the Wildcats’ defense this season.

Middleton, a defensive lineman and 2014 South Warren High School graduate, and Brown, a linebacker from Warren East (2015), are both listed second on the depth chart of their respective positions in a defense that replaces most of its front seven.

Brown will be in a position battle for a weakside linebacker spot after redshirting as a freshman. Middleton earned playing time at defensive tackle in four games last year and recorded eight tackles.

Both players are expected to help improve a Kentucky defense that gave up 27.4 points and 196 rushing yards per game in a 5-7 campaign last year.

The $125 million renovations to Commonwealth Stadium revealed last September and the recent opening of a new $45 million practice facility has the Wildcat duo ready to bring a new era of football to Lexington under fourth-year head coach Mark Stoops.

“It’s very exciting,” Middleton told the Daily News at the team’s media day session Friday. “With the new facility, it feels like a brand-new UK. We’re excited to get to practice and be playing in games.”

Brown echoed his teammate’s sentiments, but feels a different level of anticipation with his own opportunity to finally step on the field.

“The vibe here is crazy with how we all get along and how we’re all motivated to get better,” Brown said. “Last year we were upset and now all we say is finish. Let’s finish everything we do … I feel like this year is the year we really finish this.

“I’m excited for my family to finally see me play again. I think they’re more excited than I am, just the fact of playing in front of all these fans and being from Kentucky, it’s a great feeling so far. I can’t wait for that first game.”

The Wildcats began fall practice Friday afternoon just under a month away from the Sept. 3 season opener at home against Southern Miss, which means there’s plenty of time for position battles to run their course.

Kentucky isn’t returning any starting linebackers and brings back just two who lettered in 2015.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Brown will battle Jordan Jones (6-2, 220) at weakside linebacker. Brown was the first name Stoops mentioned when asked about the many newcomers expected to fill roles.

Along with Brown, junior Courtney Love (6-2, 242) is a new face at middle linebacker after sitting out last season as a transfer from Nebraska.

“Eli is the big guy,” Stoops said. “Of course, they’re all new because Courtney has played college football, but he had to sit out last year. De’Niro Laster (6-4, 241, Minnesota) played college football, had to sit out last year. Eli redshirted. He needs to continue to get some strength and size. He’s an explosive guy.

“Again, he needs the reps. He’s a freshman. But those guys are certainly guys that will help us athletically.”

Brown said redshirting his freshman year was beneficial as he added more weight, studied a new playbook and learned the disciplines of training to compete in the Southeastern Conference.

As a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the state from Warren East, Brown said he could get away with a more relaxed workout regime in high school.

Brown said the current position battles and the praise from Stoops push him even harder to try and win a starting job this fall.

“Everyone is competing,” Brown said. “I love that now that I’m in college and have someone to compete with, it makes you totally better and makes you love football even more. I wake up and know I have to give my A-game against someone else just as talented and physical as me.

“I already have good motivation, but now that the head coach is acknowledging me and saying I should be a big help with the team, I’m asking him questions to make sure I’ve got it down pat. When I get a chance to step on the field, I want to be ready and determined.”

Middleton’s brief experiences last year helped him adjust to the speed of college football.

The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle recorded four tackles against Charlotte last season and hopes to bring depth to a defensive line that departed three players and recorded just 17 sacks all year.

“The experience I got was really, really good,” Middleton said. “I learned a lot for the four games I played and I hope I can bring it to the 12 games I play in this year.

“I’ve grown fundamentally and physically and got more knowledge of the game, and that’s what you can see from me.”

When Middleton signed with Kentucky in the spring of 2014, he weighed 264 pounds according to defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh. He expanded to 315 at one point and now is listed at 303.

Brumbaugh said his added size helps him be successful at his position in the SEC, but since he’s trimmed weight, he’s also playing much faster.

“He’s been a guy that’s been consistent,” Brumbaugh said. “He’s been here three years now and he’s done everything we ask. He got in and really blossomed from a technique standpoint this season.”

The idea of playing on the field together once again is something Brown and Middleton each embrace.

The two were once teammates at Henry F. Moss Middle School before becoming rivals as stars at South Warren and Warren East.

Now they each have a chance to earn significant playing time together again, this time for Kentucky.

“It’s funny because now we’re here,” Brown said. “We didn’t skip a beat. We battled hard in high school and our schools were rivals. Now his locker is basically beside mine, so we’re always joking and stuff. I love that he’s here and I’ve got someone from back home.”

– Follow sports reporter Elliott Pratt on Twitter @EPrattBGDN or visit bgdailynews.com