The dumpster fire that is the Kentucky offense has rightfully drawn the focus and fury of Big Blue Nation. It’s hard to watch, predictable, and has single-handedly lost football games. But lost in the shuffle of offensive ineptitude of Bush Hamdan is an equally alarming trend: the quiet collapse of Brad White’s defense.
The unit that was once the bedrock of the program, known for its "bend but don't break" resilience, is now breaking on a weekly basis and breaking bad, just not like that other White did in New Mexico. While the offense gets the headlines, it's time to ask a serious question here: Should there be more heat on defensive coordinator Brad White?
The cracks appeared last season are still there
This isn't a new problem. The warning signs were flashing bright red towards the end of last year. In the final two games, the defense was systematically abused, giving up 441 yards to Texas and a staggering 486 yards to Louisville, including an embarrassing 358 on the ground.
It was a collapse so thorough that Brad White himself admitted how dire the situation was. “The last six games were unacceptable,” White said bluntly before the 2025 season began. “We weren’t mentally strong enough last season. It was a concern.” That led to a massive exodus and influx of new players who were experienced.
Ominous warnings went unheeded
Looking back, White’s preseason comments now feel like an ominous forecast of the struggles to come. He knew the unit's psyche was fragile and that a quick fix wasn't in the cards.
"You can’t just build that consistency for an hour or two on the football field,” White explained. “It’s got to be all the time. When you mature in all areas of your life, there’s carryover... We’re going to need every practice we can get.”
He was right. They needed every practice, and it still hasn't been enough.
A pattern of failure in 2025
Through four games this season, the defensive "fixes" have failed to materialize. A game-by-game look shows a unit that is being exploited by opponents of all levels:
- vs. Toledo: The Rockets, a MAC opponent, put up nearly 300 passing yards (270) and exposed weaknesses in the secondary.
- vs. Ole Miss: The Rebels did whatever they wanted, gashing the Cats for 220 rushing yards and 30 points in a balanced assault.
- vs. Eastern Michigan: Inexplicably, EMU’s offense looked nearly as potent as Ole Miss', putting up 23 points while throwing for 330 yards.
- vs. South Carolina: Even subtracting the two defensive scores, the Gamecocks put up 21 points. More alarmingly, a team that had struggled to run the ball all year ran it down Kentucky’s throat for 178 yards.
The defensive identity Is long gone
The most shocking statistic of all is the complete lack of a pass rush. The defensive line has generated just 7 sacks all season. For perspective, South Carolina’s defense had 6 in one night against the Wildcats.
The "bend but don't break" identity is a distant memory. Teams are no longer methodically moving the ball; they are running and passing at will, facing little to no disruption from the defensive front.
Just last year, Brad White was considered a coaching star on the rise, with his name linked to the defensive coordinator job at Florida State. Now, he's overseeing a unit in a steep decline. While Bush Hamdan's offense is clearly the primary problem, this defense has to fix itself, and fast, or Kentucky's season will go from bad to worse.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion