Brad White says Zion Childress is 'through the roof' with confidence

People around Kentucky haven’t been able to say enough about junior defensive back Zion Childress. He has apparently made a significant leap ahead of his second season in terms of his play as well as his command. Considering where he’s at, DC Brad White sees nothing but confidence from Childress.

White praised Childress and what he has provided across the board during his press conference on Thursday. He said it starts with the fact that Childress ensures he’s always the most prepared player each and every day. White added that it’s also a trait that will help keep him in the sport for a long time.

“He is through the roof in terms of confidence. It stems from how he approaches the game,” said White. “If you walk in every single meeting, he’s the one with the pen always in his hand. He’s looking for any little nugget that any coach says. And if there’s something that sort of sparks? He’s writing it down.”

“Those are the guys that can’t get enough,” White continued. “They last in football a long time. He’s doing a great job.”

Childress produced 34 tackles last season during his first campaign in Lexington. He also added to that with three pass deflections and his first career sack. Childress did that while appearing in all of UK’s games last season with one start against Georgia.

With that experience under his belt, White believes it has only added to where Childress is overall ahead of next season. He feels as though the upperclassman is prepared to be more of a leader considering he’s built a reliable reputation for himself throughout the program.

“From a leadership standpoint, I think he’s got a comfort level that he’s been here and in the system,” White said. “You find that with transfers a lot. No matter how much experience you have at your previous school, you walk into a new building and you’re not just going to be the voice.”

“You have to earn that, you have to build trust. And everybody in that locker room trusts him,” said White. “Offense, defense, special teams, coaches. Everybody trusts him. When he speaks, people listen. (We’re) pleased with where he is right now.”

With this kind of wind in his sails, Childress must be rearing to go this fall as a potential difference maker in Kentucky’s secondary. White much be ready as well to unleash him and the impact he can make on to the field based on these latest glowing remarks.