Brad White says Kentucky works on tackling every day

Spring football often means it’s time to go back to the basics. That includes even the most fundamental parts of the game like tackling. For Brad White, he actually describes it as an emphasis right now at Kentucky.

White broke down the Wildcat’s effort on tackles during practice in his press conference on Thursday. He said they put as much significance on it as they do because it’s something that takes place on almost every single down on defense. He added that they place even more weight on it in the spring since they don’t have to be as concerned about keeping their bodies fresh for games.

“That’s something we do every day, even in the fall. It’s just such a vital part. We actually just had a big meeting on it as a defense yesterday, a big presentation,” White said. “That’s something that unless there’s an incomplete pass or somebody goes out of bounds? You’re gonna have to tackle on every single down.”

“So, from a tackling perspective, that’s an emphasis obviously in spring,” continued White. “Maybe even a little more physical in that sense because your bodies aren’t having to worry about being ready for Saturday. But that’s always an emphasis here and always will be.”

The Kentucky defense posted 790 total tackles in 2022. They were almost equally weighted between solo and assisted.

However, they’ll have several tackles to replace this upcoming season due to departures. The Wildcats still bring back three of their top-five leading tacklers in D’Eryk Jackson, Jordan Lovett, and Trevin Wallace. You don’t just recreate the kind of impact, production, and experience, though, of veterans like Jordan Wright and DeAndre Square at linebacker or Carrington Valentine and Keidron Smith in the secondary.

That’s why White is continuing to preach this philosophy as it’s crucial to what his defenses do in Lexington. If they can check off this box now and never have to worry about it, it brings them one step closer to being a top unit once again on that side of the ball.

“We’ve got to play with great effort, we’ve got to be a great tackling team no matter what the Xs and Os say,” said White. “If you can be great in those two areas? You’re going to be a great defense. That’s always an emphasis point.”