What We Learned During Spring Practice: Kentucky Defense

Fifteen spring practices have come and gone, providing a clearer picture of what we can expect to see from the Kentucky defense this fall. Brad White must fill some holes left by Josh Paschal, Yusuf Corker and Marquan McCall, but there’s still a lot to like. Before we dive all the way in, there’s one caveat we must address.

Thin Spring for the Kentucky Defense

It may sound like a cop out, but it’s difficult to evaluate the spring 2022 version of the Kentucky defense. Simply put, so many pieces that will contribute next fall weren’t participating in full team periods. JJ Weaver was the only healthy edge. On one drive during the Blue/White Game, DeAndre Square was playing the Sam, opposite of Weaver. That’s just not going to happen in the regular season.

Healthy reinforcements are on the way. How Brad White uses the linebackers in a complex scheme will be the strength of Kentucky’s defense. Unable to use confusion in the Blue/White Game, the play suffered, but it’s the least of my worries. Like Kentucky’s offense, this defense employs a pro-style scheme that will be right where it needs to if the Cats can improve in a few areas prior to Sept. 3.

Carrington Valentine Takes Steps

Kentucky’s secondary, particularly the cornerbacks, received more criticism than any other position in 2021, and rightfully so. Following the departure of two NFL cornerbacks, Carrington Valentine was thrown to the wolves as a redshirt freshman. After playing in just six games in 2020, mostly on special teams, Valentine played over 900 snaps, the second-most for the UK defense in 2021. That is the definition of “trial by fire.”

In those 900 snaps Valentine saw things he had never faced before, most notably Tennessee’s extremely wide splits. Now that he’s been exposed to pretty much everything, Valentine has a renewed since of confidence. The Cincinnati Moeller product spent the spring focused on his physicality, particularly at the top of routes. White and Mark Stoops saw growth through the 15 practices. Even though he may not be an All-SEC performer this fall, the boundary corner will not be a liability.

But UK Still Needs another Cornerback (or Two)

Kentucky still needs another cornerback on the other side of the field. Dru Phillips made up for lost time, putting himself in a position to receive significant snaps this fall, but he’s probably not quite ready to be the guy. Even if he does become the guy, an SEC team cannot survive on two cornerbacks alone. The freshmen behind Valentine and Phillips are too green to see the field.

The Wildcats are certainly searching for help at cornerback in the transfer portal. Former Ole Miss athlete Keidron Smith could be the first addition to Kentucky’s secondary, but the versatile defensive back’s skills might be best suited at Vito Tisdale‘s nickel/medium position. The Cats need at least one more impact player on the edge to have serviceable depth at cornerback.

Breakout Star: Jordan Lovett

The worst news (and maybe the only bad news) from Spring Practice was Tisdale’s season-ending injury. Poised for a breakout season as an impact player, Kentucky cannot replicate what Vito brought to the table. They might have the next best thing, and he is another Kentucky kid.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Lovett flies around and attacks opponents with a similar reckless abandonment that makes Tisdale so endearing to the BBN. After popping in early spring practices, he forced a fumble, recorded a sack and led the team in tackles with nine during the Blue/White Game. After the game, Stoops praised Lovett, while challenging the North Hardin product. Right now he’s Jalen Geiger‘s back-up at free safety. If the coaching staff can trust Lovett to play assignment sound football in the back of the defense, it allows White to fill the hole Vito left at nickel in obvious passing situations.

Lovett is on the right path. Kentucky needs the young, instinctual defender to master the defense over the summer.

Defensive Line Must Mature

Kentucky’s defensive line has a solid two, maybe even three-deep across the board. The problem Anwar Stewart must figure out is how to get all three playing well at the same time.

Consisting of a ton of talented, highly-touted recruits from the class of 2020, the third-year players are finally getting their time to shine. They have the capability to be one of the best defensive lines in the SEC, but can they perform on a consistent basis?

Being a defensive lineman is a grind. Often times that grind is not fun. This young group must learn how to perform well even when it’s not fun.

At the conclusion of spring practice, I foresee a unit that will completely dominate four opponents, play just fine enough against four more, then draw the ire of the BBN by getting gashed in four other games. That can change if this group matures and takes care of business in the offseason. Luckily, legitimate competition at every position should fuel progress, but that’s not guaranteed.