Jalen Geiger reveals what he learned while injured

Jalen Geiger didn’t get to have the season he wanted to in 2022. A knee injury that he suffered in the second game of Kentucky’s season made sure of that. Still, it allowed him to come back seeing the game in a whole new way.

Geiger spoke about the lessons he learned while injured during media availability last week. He said being unable to do anything on the field allowed him to have the time to improve his football mind.

In his opportunity away from the field, he made sure he grew in the film room to reach another level that way.

“Since I couldn’t do nothing physical, I was really watching film and improving my football IQ,” Geiger said. “That’s all I could do was just watch and watch film. Things like that. Just learn the game more and more.”

In his four seasons in Lexington, Geiger has appeared in 24 games. Over his career, he has produced 30 tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception that went for a touchdown. Many of those stats, though, came in his sophomore year in 2021, which is why many expected him to make even more of an impact as a junior. However, that injury he suffered down at Florida in the second game of the year ended those plans.

Now, with him back on the field, he’s looking to make up for that lost time with an effective season in the secondary as a senior. With his new and improved mentality, Geiger plans to do exactly that too once he officially returns this fall.

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.”

“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.”