Brad White shares key to Zion Childress' success in 2022

Of the handful of exciting pieces that showed flashes on Kentucky’s defense last season, Zion Childress was one of the most interesting ones. After two seasons at Texas State, he transferred to Lexington and caught some eyes in the secondary as he appeared in all 13 games.

To DC Brad White, he thinks he was able to fit in and grow so seamlessly because of the room he had around him. They accepted him early on in the year as a new addition. As time went on, that then made him feel comfortable to be who he is as a confident defensive back.

“I just think he gained a comfort level within the system,” White said during his press conference on Thursday. “He was around a strong group of guys. When you have a Tyrell Aijan, a (Jalen) Geiger, a Jordan Lovett? They embraced him quickly. So then he felt comfortable to sort of mature within the system.”

“He didn’t feel like he just had to be thrust into a day one starting role. And so he gained confidence through the reps he got. Then he got more, then he was starting by the end of the season,” said White. “And now that confidence is just sort of through the roof right now. So we need to keep it there. But I’m really pleased with where he is.”

During his two years in the Sun Belt, Childress posted 135 tackles, 76 coming via solo tackle. He then added five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception in that second season with the Bobcats.

Then, in his first season at UK, Childress saw the field in every single game. He eventually made his first start late in the season against Georgia where he finished with a season-high nine tackles. After that, he paired his first career sack and a pass breakup with five tackles against Louisville. In total, Childress finished with 34 tackles in 2022.

White continued on to add that Childress isn’t a finished product and that he has ways to still grow heading into this fall. Still, considering his production, confidence, and the opportunity available to him in the secondary, White says UK just can’t afford to not have him out on the field.

“There are things we need to continue to work on with him. And he understands that from technique, from man and that kind of stuff,” said White. “(But) we need that kind of playmaker on the field to create some turnovers for us.”