WATCH: Mic'd Up with Defensive Backs Coach Chris Collins

It is only April, but the Kentucky Football footage is starting to emerge. The team has been working hard during Spring practice and we are slowly beginning to witness what has been happening indoors. The most recent video the team put out features Defensive Backs Coach Chris Collins, and after watching it, I’m ready to take my “independent feet” and rip through the first ball I see.

Mic'd up with Defensive Backs Coach @CoachC_Collins 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Tu0sLCiEBb

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 5, 2024

If you are unfamiliar with Chris Collins, it is high time you learn. In short, he is a rising star. Collins is about to enter his fourth year in Lexington and his first as the co-defensive coordinator alongside Brad White.

Last season, many fans and experts alike expected Kentucky’s defensive backfield to be one of the team’s weaknesses. Instead, Coach Collins made it a strength. Under Collins, sophomore corner Maxwell Hairston led the SEC with five interceptions and finished third on the team with 68 tackles. He earned Second Team All-SEC and honorable mention All-America honors.

Junior Andru Phillips was another unexpected bright spot for the ‘Cats last season. The junior cornercharted 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Phillips earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.

Carrington Valentine also saw success during his rookie season in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers last year after working with Coach Collins during his time at Kentucky.

If Mark Stoops’ philosophy is to recruit and develop, Chris Collins has done exactly that. This video gives us a glimpse of exactly how he goes about his business.