WATCH: Brad White after conditioning and No. 5 DeAndre Square

Jacob Noger | UK Football

Brad White’s opening statement left much to be desired. He could hardly catch his breath after Kentucky’s second spring practice of the 2021 season. That’s because he participated in some post-practice conditioning alongside his linebackers.

“Sorry if I’m a little bit winded,” White said, “Trying to get in shape myself.”

Despite the somewhat unexpected departure of All-SEC tackler Jamin Davis, White feels good about the Wildcats’ linebacker room. Jared Casey made leaps and bounds during his first year at the position, D’Eryk Jackson gained invaluable experience as a true freshman and they’ve added Michigan State transfer Luke Fulton into the fold. Just wait until Trevin Wallace gets to campus.

You cannot forget about DeAndre Square either. Entering his fourth year on campus, the Will linebacker has changed his number every single season. That trend ends in 2021, revealing today that No. 5 is here to stay.

That’s not the only thing Square has changed. Once an introvert, he’s transformed into a vocal leader on and off the field.

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“The younger DeAndre Square would most days just go home and spend my time at home a lot, not interact with the guys and just be by myself. The older I got and the more experienced I got, learning from the older players and coaches, I just had to get out more. I do get out more. I hang out with my teammates more and try to spend as much time as I can up here (at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility) just around football so I can make myself better for my other teammates because I know they need me.”

Those aren’t empty words. If you’ve listened to Square since he arrived in Lexington, you can hear the difference. Listen for yourself.