Kentucky has officially announced that defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale was promoted to defensive pass game coordinator. That happened for a reason.
Since losing the entire secondary following the 2018 season, the Wildcats have done a great job reloading and it has allowed the program to field solid defenses the last two seasons. The secondary should produce two draft picks next month and now we’re hearing how Kentucky may go to a hybrid defense that puts an extra safety on the field.
Kentucky’s defense is evolving and that is starting to pay dividends on the recruiting trail.
Treyveon Longmire became the third top-500 prospect to join the class of 2022 and each is projected to play in the secondary. The Corbin (Ky.) product will join Belleville (Mich.) Jeremiah Caldwell and Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood’s Andre Stewart next year in Lexington.
On this year’s roster, redshirt seniors Tyrell Ajian and Yusuf Corker should open the season at safety. This might be the best duo in the SEC. Both were blue-chip prospects in the class of 2017.
Elsewhere, Kentucky is looking into turning the Sam linebacker position into a hybrid role where safeties can get onto the field and make an impact. At the “medium” spot, redshirt freshmen Vito Tisdale and Joel Williams figure to compete for playing time. Both were top-500 recruits out of the class of 2020.
Super senior Davonte Robinson also figures to be a key piece somewhere in the secondary. Former blue-chip recruit Moses Douglass is still looking for a place to break in at. High three-stars Taj Dodson and Andru Phillips might be very important reserves in 2021.
Why does all of this matter?
The spread revolution has taken over the college football world and last year we saw quarterbacks at Alabama and Florida come out of nowhere to set passing records. Just one year prior, Joe Burrow exploded onto the scene at LSU to throw for 60 touchdowns and averaged 10.8 yards per attempt.
Offenses are changing and Kentucky is looking to keep up on that end. The hiring of Liam Coen was the first big step in that direction. However, adjustments must also be made on the other side of the football.
“We’re always looking for our best 11,” Mark Stoops told the media on Saturday. “Putting our best players on the field and getting the top 11 on the field. The versatility, the speed, the tempo, the spread that you’re seeing across our league and across college football for some time. I think that will help us. Gives us some more athletic ability on the field and lets Brad [White] become a bit more multiple.”
Long gone are the days where defenses must stop the run first at all costs. In today’s football, offenses are all about creating one-on-one matchups in space and that means defenses must have athletes with versatility.
Those players are usually found in the secondary and recent recruiting success shows Kentucky is valuing athletic players from the 180-200 pound range who can run, strike, and cover.
Stoops and the program are evolving with the sport. That is a very good thing to see.
"allow" - Google News
March 28, 2021 at 08:00AM
https://ift.tt/2QBAWmS
Secondary recruiting will allow Kentucky to adapt on defense - kentuckysportsradio.com
"allow" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KTEV8j
https://ift.tt/2Wp5bNh
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Secondary recruiting will allow Kentucky to adapt on defense - kentuckysportsradio.com"
Post a Comment