The WBN Kentucky Wildcat Football Position Previews: DB's

Defensive Backs

Of all the defense last year, the secondary was one of the more enigmatic units of the team. When they weren’t covering for the front seven and making tackles they did surprisingly well, only giving up 177 yds/per game, good for 14th best in the FBS. Only problem is the reason they did so well is because other teams were running the ball freely, making passing a secondary (haha! defensive back joke) thought. With the improvement of the run stoppers up front, the coverage players can go back to doing what they were supposed to be doing: creating turnovers that we’ve heard so much about. With the weakest coverage man moved up to the linebacker/whatever they’re calling it, the defense gains even more speed and ball-hawking ability.

The Starters

#21- Winston Guy Jr.- SR- 6’1″/216- Lexington, KY

Despite having prototypical size for a safety, the speedy back has never caught on to higher level pass coverage and therefore was moved closer to the line of scrimmage in order to highlight his strengths: getting to the ball quickly. A solid tackler and one of the most experienced guys on the team with almost 40 games played in his career, he needs to step up his mental game in order to keep the defense calm and collected when things start getting bad. Despite his new position, he’s listed as a safety so we’ll put him up on this list.

#41- Mychal Bailey- SR- 6’0″/194- LaGrange, GA

Man, I love that town in Georgia. Yet another consistent performer on the Wildcats team from the small town that came here via community college and has been a contributor during his tenure. Had to sit out this spring in order to focus on academics so his role as a starter is up for grabs right now, but his 58 tackles and several memorable plays against the likes of UT and Louisville, so he’s good in my book.

#15- Martavius Neloms- JR- 6’1″/186- Memphis, TN

Moved from corner to safety this spring, his ball tracking will be much more useful farther back and provides a stronger pass covering presence in the new defense. After being pushed into playing his freshman year due to injuries, he performed well and followed it up last year with 55 tackles. Who knows how the move will really play out when SEC competition hits, but having another experienced player (21 games played) on the field is never a problem.

#14- Anthony Mosley- SR- 6’0″/178- Ellenwood, GA

A receiver to corner convert, Mosley performed very well last year, started 12 games last year and ended the year second on the team with five pass breakups. Was the hero of the South Carolina game last year when he intercepted the endzone pass that would have put the Gamecocks ahead. While not the most physically gifted, he plays smart and utilizes all of his talents to lock down the field opposite of Randall Burden.

#24- Randall Burden- SR- 6’0’/171- LaGrange, GA

Another Granger, another performer. 39 games and 26 consecutive starts makes this kid a real staple in the secondary, and his performance has proven that he can play up to that level. The team’s top pass defender (six last year) comes into his senior season as a consistent defender and even better leader. Plus, he taught me how to Crank Dat Spiderman back when he was a freshman. Love this guy.

The Contenders

#35 Cartier Rice- JR- 5’10″/184- Duncan, SC

The nickel package player of the last two years has a chance to earn a lot of playing time this year after playing in 11 games last year and having more space to move up the depth chart. The highly talented player redshirted in 2008 but has built his stat line the last two years. Remember that INT that Anthony Mosley had against the Fightin’ Spurrier’s last year? The pass was deflected by Rice.

#34- Dale Trimble- FR- 5’10″/160- Gadsden, AL

Redhsirted last year, Trimble comes out this year looking for time on the field, and could earn it. It’s pretty hard to earn Scout team Player of the Week honors, but Trimble did it four times last year; that should give you an indication of how much the coaches like this kid. An extremely physical player at the corner position could really help in multiple receiver sets.

#18- Glenn Faulkner- FR- 6’2″/194- St. Louis, IL



I only include this picture because the comparisons are starting to get made. Wasn’t on campus until late July, then left again for a family issue. A large, athletic, and talented player that the coaches (and everyone else for that matter) have been raving about since he signed. Missing all this time can’t be good for his chances of playing, but his talent is rumored to be good enough to necessitate getting him on the field ASAP. Is rumored to be seen walking around the Pacific Northwest and farther north.

#37- Christian Hudnell- SO- 6’0″/174- Cameron Park, CA

A walk on who has played his way into contention, made a tackle in his only game played last year (Akron) and looks to be a solid backup for the corners.

The Best of the Rest

#32- Miles Simpson- FR- 6’2″/214- Independence, KY

The Kentucky grown product has seen quite a time at UK, coming in as a running back before being switched to linebacker, then safety. The talent required to be able to be switched like that means he has the athleticism, but needs time to learn the position. Still, a huge figure to be standing in the secondary and could be very intimidating if he gets on the field.

#38- Eric Simmons- FR- 6’0″/189- Atlanta, GA

Versatile redshirt has played both corner and safety and has been praised by coaches as a student of the game. Has been rumored to have been timed at 4.38 in the 40-yd dash but still has time to build his playbook knowledge.

#5- Ashley Lowery- FR- 6’1″/201- Cleveland, GA

Was relatively unknown until “The Jump“, which has made its way around the internet and sports channels alike. Obviously an amazing athlete, will need to wait for his time. It will come

#28- Eric Dixon- FR- 5’11″/171- Mobile, AL

Another very gifted player who has yet to settle into a position, was the #32 ranked prospect in Alabama before signing.

#36- Daylen Hall- FR- 5’10″/180- Louisville, KY

Another Kentucky grown product that is waiting for his turn, was a first team all-state selection and one of the top 22 players in Kentucky his senior year.

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