Mark Stoops evaluates Kentucky's defensive back transfers

As has become custom under head coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White, Kentucky Football put a terrific defense on the field last season. The ‘Cats ranked top-five in the country in certain efficiency metrics and were one of the top defensive units not just in the SEC but in all of America. Of course, several of last year’s playmakers graduated to the NFL. UK lost a couple of stalwart seniors linebackers, but cornerback is arguably their biggest position to replace, where Kentucky had an All-SEC senior in Keidron Smith and a future 2023 Draft pick in Carrington Valentine.

Replacing a two high-end starting corners is no coach’s dream. However, Kentucky is loaded with options on the outside with younger players and with a couple of talented transfers — two of which come from Ohio schools with Jantzen Dunn from Ohio State and JQ Hardaway from Cincinnati.

At his first meeting with the media after the start of spring practice, Coach Stoops addressed what he’s hoping to see early on for the defensive backs, especially from the revamped CB room.

“No, I think Jantzen and JQ, they both are what you’re looking for. They both can run, they’re big guys,” said Stoops. “There’s a lot of length out there, I like that. I feel like Andru (Phillips) stepped right in, which you’d expect. He had a lot of experience in nickel, looked good at corner today. So, I like that group.”

Stoops also went on to single out Jordan Robinson, a name some fans may not recognize since he transferred in last year didn’t play a ton due to an injury. However, Robinson will be in his third year of college this coming fall and has great size as a 6-foot-4 corner.

“I feel like there’s definitely some bodies to work with. We’ll see, another guy like Jordan Robinson,” said Stoops. “Last year, he redshirted, had a hamstring (injury) quite a bit of the early part of the year. That’s hard to judge him once you get in the season and all that. He’s had a nice winter and good start to the spring practice today. He was noticeable out there. Again, another guy with really good length.”

Kentucky may be replacing two starters, but there seems to be plenty of confidence from Mark Stoops and his staff that the ‘Cats can find the necessary snaps and production. Maybe they won’t have two studs on the outside like in 2022, but with how deep the safety spot is, Kentucky is still capable of reaching the same sort of ceiling in the secondary.