Jantzen Dunn has embraced Kentucky's process

Former Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn is now in year two at Kentucky. The former top-200 recruit has a great shot at seizing a starting position as a redshirt junior. The talent has always been there for the Bowling Green (Ky.) South Warren product, but now it’s starting to all come together for Dunn.

The class of 2021 product has embraced the process.

“He’s grown both on the field and off the field. He’s bought into our process. I think he’s starting to see the benefits of that,” Kentucky defensive backs coach Chris Collins said about Dunn on Thursday. “Excited about his growth.”

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“Still got a long way to go. Just like all our guys. But understanding process is really important, especially in this generation. Lot of guys want instant gratification, but it takes time to grow and develop. Coach [Mark] Stoops from the top down has done a phenomenal job in our program of emphasizing that. So, guys when they completely buy into it, I think they are able to see the growth, and it builds confidence.”

Kentucky is starting to see Jantzen Dunn grow from that process. After playing 49 defensive snaps for Kentucky against Clemson in the Gator Bowl, the defensive back believes he has grown as a player. The Wildcats are currently asking Dunn to play outside cornerback and nickel. The fourth-year player believes he benefitted a ton from getting mental reps in 2023.

“I’d say watching Dru [Phillips] for a year helped me — especially him at the nickel spot. I’m pretty much at the same position that he was in last year because he was splitting time at nickel and corner also,” Dunn said. “I watched a lot of him last year, and I learned a lot from him, and he taught me pretty much everything I needed to know about the defense.”

The starting cornerback spot is still unknown with spring practice getting set to wrap up, but there is no denying that Jantzen Dunn will play a critical role on Kentucky’s defense this fall. The veteran appears to be the top option at nickel, and that will give the in-state native more opportunities to make a positive impact in 2023. Dunn could be poised to step into the Andru Phillips role in 2024.

It all started with embracing the process and just getting to work.