Brad White talks Cornerbacks, Linebackers, Bully McCall and more

The first two years of Brad White’s tenure have been incredibly successful. Despite what was seen a massive rebuild ahead of the 2019 season, it was the first of two seasons where the Wildcats finished ranked in the top five nationally in pass defense, and those weren’t the only impressive statistical accomplishments.

Entering year three, Kentucky will replace six starters, many of which will be NFL Draft picks. In a conversation on Kentucky Roll Call, White discussed in detail how the important position battles will shake out this spring.

Cornerbacks

Kentucky’s pass defense was an interception machine in 2020, picking off two or more more passes in four of their 11 games. Kelvin Joseph led the way with four and Brandin Echols hauled in a turnover in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl win. Each starter at cornerback is now vying for a spot in the NFL Draft. White believes the competition to fill those vacancies will last until September.

“That’s going to be one of those positions that everybody’s going to be watching real close. I think we’ve got an older guy like Cedric Dort that’s played games for us. We’ve got some younger guys in Carrington Valentine and Andru Phillips that have played in some limited snaps last year, but at least got their feet wet, whether it’s in a game or on special teams. A guy like Quandre Mosely has got position versatility, can play corner, came in as a corner, then moved to safety and played some corner for us in the bowl game. He’s going to have a chance out there too,” White said.

“It’s going to be quite a battle. The nice thing is that nobody’s going to be able to be comfortable because they know there’s people chomping any their heels. That’s what you need at the position. You need guys that are going to play confident. If somebody’s not going to play confident, then they’re going to get passed. It should be a good (competition), not just in the spring but all the way into fall camp. I don’t know if that battle’s going to be determined until game one.”

Linebackers

Kentucky has had some great linebackers suit up in blue and white. Few have had a season as incredible as Jamin Davis’ 2020 campaign. He recorded at least 10 tackles in seven of 11 games, finishing the year with 102, the third-most in the SEC. Davis also chipped in four TFLs, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions, returning one for an 85-yard touchdown at Tennessee.

That’s a lot of production that must be replaced. White won’t ask one person to carry that heavy load.

“We’ve got guys at that position that can elevate. They don’t all have to take it on their shoulders and play 80 snaps. If we can find some guys, rotate them in and they can play 40 snaps but play them really hard and really efficiently, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

Of course, Kentucky’s defensive coordinator feels great about DeAndre Square. Second-year mike linebacker D’Eyrk Jackson is “primed to break out” while Jared Casey settles in at inside linebacker after switching positions ahead of the 2020 season. “It’s really like he’s just coming off a freshman year at that position.”

Another player that could contribute is true freshman Trevin Wallace. Obviously, coaches are quick to temper expectations for athletes that have never played a down of SEC football, but this one is special for a variety of reasons.

“Everybody sees the athleticism. The thing I think people don’t realize is how much of a football junkie he is. He loves to learn. He’s going to come in and he’s going to want to know everything about those inside backer positions. He gives you some flex in that, they even slid him outside a little bit down there in high school. He’s got the ability to rush a passer, so we’ll see what he can handle and we’ll see how quickly he can adjust, but there’s some true freshmen that might be able to come in and make an impact for us.”

Bully

Jamin Davis’ breakout year did not happen overnight. He was what we call in the business a “slow-burner.”

“People forget that Jamin was just a first-year starter. He was a guy that stuck to the process. He came in. He worked his tail off. He had to grow within the system. He had to grow with Coach Ed and when his time came, he took advantage of it. I think guys can use that as something to point to and say, ‘When my time comes, whenever it may be, how do I make the most of it?’ It was because of the way Jamin practiced.”

That sentiment applies to plenty of people at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Marquan “Bully” McCall has certainly showed flashes throughout his career while playing behind Quinton Bohanna, but now it’s time to turn the burner on high. Since returning to Lexington this spring, White’s noticed a significant change in the now elder statesman.

“Where I’ve seen him row the most is from a leadership standpoint. Since he came back in January, he knows that he’s a senior. This is his team. We’ve got a great group of seniors with him and Josh Paschal, Square and you go to the back end with Yusuf (Corker) and Ty (Ajian), but from a front perspective, he’s like, ‘Okay, this is MY unit. They’re going to follow me.’ He’s come with a focus and a leadership mentality that shows a maturity growth, something that’s real exciting.”

A switch has been flipped. We’ve only seen the beginning of what Bully can bring to the UK defense.

“You saw it in games (last year) that he started when Q was out. You could sense that he practices different. He attacks things differently. He’s taking that on a daily basis now and I’m really, really excited to see him take that next step because for a big man, he can really move. I don’t think people realize how well he can move at his weight, with his foot speed and his quickness. He’s got a chance to create some havoc in the backfield for us, which we need. We need a little bit more behind the line of scrimmage play.”

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You think that was all White had to say? The defensive coordinator is putting an emphasis on pass rushing this preseason and preps for a lobster boil with Liam Coen. Just listen here or use the widget below and scroll to the 51:50 mark to hear all of the action. Kentucky Roll Call airs Monday-Friday from 7-9 am on Big X Sports Radio, 96.1-FM 1450-AM, in Louisville.