Excitement is in the air as Kentucky kicks off its annual set of spring practices this week. It is the team’s first time seeing the field since its bowl game victory over NC State, which created a lot of buzz surrounding the team heading into the offseason.
Another thing that created a lot of enthusiasm was the large returning cast on the defense. Experienced players like DeAndre Square, Josh Paschal, Yusuf Corker, Quandre Mosely and Davonte Robinson all either turned down professional opportunities or took advantage of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility to play one more season at Kentucky and that, plus a fresh batch of young talent has the coaching staff excited about what the defense can accomplish next season
“It’s just day two, but I think you can hear it in my voice, I really like this group,” defensive coordinator Brad White said after Thursday’s practice.
With it still being early in spring ball and especially the season, White has been leaning on the veteran players in the initial install while the newer players get acquainted in the new offense. Even then, players like D'Eryk Jackson, K.D. McDaniel and Jared Casey have shown promise in the early practices and could provide added value to Kentucky this fall.
Jackson is a sophomore who totaled four tackles in nine games last season. White mentioned him as someone who could scoop up additional snaps with the departure of Jamin Davis.
“He knows what it’s like to play in an SEC game,” White said. “Challenged him to become more vocal. He’s very much an introvert and to play that position, to play the mike, you’ve got to be an alpha and we’re continuing to draw that out of him. He’s got it in there, he plays like an alpha but now he needs to vocalize that.”
McDaniel has only played in nine games in two years with Kentucky but has had a good offseason and impressed White with his work ethic.
“It’s only two days of practice and two installs and the big thing with K.D., for him is he’s got to grind in the playbook and he’s really done that this offseason. He’s up early, he stays late so really excited to watch the progression from him because if he can get going, that’s a guy that can really help us,” White said.
Casey took a big step last season as a redshirt-freshman, playing in all 11 games and finishing with 20 tackles. A lot of people, including White, think he could be the next great Kentucky defender.
“Jared is a guy that really, for being at the inside backer position just for one season, you saw huge growth from start to finish and now it’s time to take another step,” White said. “That’s going to be a huge spring for Jared because he’s a guy that we’re going to count on and he’s got to be able to continue to take those steps because he’s got a chance to be a really good linebacker.”
Those are just the early impressions from the first two spring practices. There will be more players who fly onto the radar as well as some ones who fall off it, but regardless of what happens, White thinks he’s got the pieces to make a great defense.
“Things are starting to fit. The puzzle pieces are starting to together where the best spot for each guy but it’s still early in camp,” White said. “Guys are going to be fighting and competing and really looking forward to seeing who rises.”
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