Kentucky Football starts spring practice this week so we want to take a look at the different positions. Kicking it off is the secondary at cornerback which has some challenges to overcome.
The Wildcats have their work cut out for them defensively going into the 2021 season. The defense is going to have to replace six starters from last season, many of whom will be playing on Sundays this fall.
It won’t be an easy task, but as we’ve seen in the past coach Mark Stoops and his staff knows what they’re looking for out on the recruiting trail, and building depth has started to become a reality while once a major hurdle to overcome on Saturdays.
Gone are the days of relying on a few key players, and when they’re off the field seeing a massive drop-off in the talent gap from starter to the backups. Now I’m not saying replacing guys who will be professionals in a few months is going to be easy, but it can be done especially in the secondary where Kentucky has tons of depth and experience.
Kentucky must reload after losing two starters to the NFL
Kentucky led the Southeastern Conference with 16 interceptions, and even more impressive in that stat is that the Wildcats didn’t pick off a single pass in their first two games in losses to Auburn (29-13) and Ole Miss (42-41 OT). The Kentucky secondary made up for it though, picking off six Mississippi State passes in the third game of the season leading the team to a 24-2 win.
Kelvin Joseph aka “Bossman Fat,” and Brandin Echols were key contributors to Kentucky’s interception party in 2020, the duo hauled in five of those 16 picked passes. Those stellar efforts have propelled both players to be on every NFL team’s draft boards in April.
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Wildcat defensive coordinator Brad White spoke to KSR on what he expects the secondary to be like in 2021.
"“It’s going to be quite a battle. The nice thing is that nobody’s going to be able to be comfortable because they know there’s people chomping any their heels. That’s what you need at the position. You need guys that are going to play confident. If somebody’s not going to play confident, then they’re going to get passed. It should be a good (competition), not just in the spring but all the way into fall camp. I don’t know if that battle’s going to be determined until game one.”"
It would seem that the third-year defensive coordinator expects the Wildcat secondary to be hungry and ready to prove themselves and the doubters wrong. White will be relying on a blend of young talent trying to get playing time and returning veterans to make up for those who’ve graduated or moved on to the professional ranks.
White also alluded to who he expects to step in and fill those shoes.
"“That’s going to be one of those positions that everybody’s going to be watching real close. I think we’ve got an older guy like Cedric Dort that’s played games for us. We’ve got some younger guys in Carrington Valentine and Andru Phillips that have played in some limited snaps last year, but at least got their feet wet, whether it’s in a game or on special teams. A guy like Quandre Mosely has got position versatility, can play corner, came in as a corner, then moved to safety and played some corner for us in the bowl game. He’s going to have a chance out there too.”"
Valentine, a 6-foot, 200-pound freshman, appeared in 10 games for the Cats last season recorded 10 tackles (7 solos, 3 assisted), a pass break-up, and a forced fumble. He is out of Cincinnati Moeller and his versatility to play multiple positions makes him a front runner to start.
My guy @run_carri7 getting that work household name after next season 6-1 200 pound corner that’s a straight A student. Walked into a crowded db room last yr and started as a true freshman. Limitless potential with the work ethic and character to match #proofinthepudding pic.twitter.com/H1aAUdHTcz
— C.Vaughn@Aspirations (@Aspirationsgym) March 5, 2021
Dort in his junior year also played in 10 games getting 10 tackles as well with nine being solo and broke up a pair of pass attempts. Dort’s playing time diminished with the arrival of Joseph who transferred in from LSU and quickly made an impact for the Wildcats. Look for him to reclaim his position. Joseph opted out late in the year preparing for the NFL and Kentucky went 2-0.
Phillips saw limited action in four games and assisted on a tackle.
Mosley is a 5-foot-10, 182-pound senior and in 10 games finished with 12 solo tackles and assisted in three while breaking up two passes.
Replacing what Kentucky had in the secondary in 2020 will be a tall task, but it’s not an impossible one. If Kentucky fans have learned anything in the Stoops era, it’s that the defensive-minded coach uses headlines like fuel to motivate his teams into proving the naysayers wrong.
Even better yet when the media picks the Wildcats to finish last in the SEC East or all the talking heads on ESPN pick against Kentucky to win a game, Stoops smiles and says: “We’re just getting started bro!”