First Down Kentucky: The Standard is the Standard

Kentucky football is dealing with a very hot camp thanks to the high temperatures with some tough humidity in the Bluegrass. But there are no excuses — the standard is the standard.

Defensive coordinator Brad White says his unit is doing a good job living up to that standard even with some of the adversity brought on by the heat or the grind of another fall camp.

“We’ve done some good things. We’ve had some moments that you’ll always have through a camp that you have to jump on them,” White told KSR on Thursday. “Listen, we have a standard the way we operate and I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a team it never wavered one bit.”

White mentions that Kentucky’s coaching staff has had to point out what the standard is but overall, the Wildcats feel good about their personnel.

“This is as good of group in terms of doing the check by themselves,” White said. Even Georgia transfer Pop Dumas-Johnson refused to acknowledge that it’s hot outside and has reminded his teammates of that. Kentucky refuses to let the heat be a problem.

First Down Kentucky is getting the Big Blue Nation caught up to speed on White’s defense as the Wildcats look to close their first full week of practice strong with a good scrimmage on Saturday.

Zion Childress is a natural fit at nickel

In last week’s open practices, KSR noticed that super senior safety Zion Childress was sliding down to play some nickel when Kentucky shifted into its medium package. The former Texas State transfer told KSR after fan day that playing in the slot is a “more natural position for the veteran”.

Defensive coordinator Brad White agrees.

“It’s nice to be able to play him in some of that field overhang — nickel, medium, all that. He can get, at times, closer to the box,” White said. “He’s got a great feel for football. That position is so much about feel.”

There is a lot of talk about Kentucky’s defense being more multiple in 2024. We’ve heard talk of playing more man coverage, hybrid defender Alex Afari Jr. is now getting snaps at off-ball linebacker, and Childress is switching from safety close to the line of scrimmage. Kentucky is trying to get more versatile.

“It’s a good thing for him and it’s a good thing for our defense,” White explained. “It allows us to be multiple and flexible.”

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Keeshawn Silver is more comfortable

Kentucky added North Carolina transfer Keeshawn Silver to the roster following the 2022 season to address depth at nose tackle. The former five-star recruit turned into a surprise starter in 2023. Now Kentucky will need the redshirt junior to play a bigger role in 2024 following the loss of Josahi Hayes.

Brad White sees an interior lineman that is more comfortable.

“I think there’s just an understanding and a confidence,” White told KSR when asked about Silver’s progression. “There’s not a lot of unknown for him.”

“He understands sort of what’s expected and he’s one of those guys I think has had a really good camp thus far.”

The Wildcats could use a big season from Silver. Kentucky’s veterans on the defensive line are what could raise the ceiling for this defense.

Defensive line veterans will determine Kentucky’s ceiling (KSR+)

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Pop Dumas-Johnson is gaining confidence

Expectations are high for Georgia transfer Pop Dumas-Johnson in his first season at Kentucky. The former All-American can be one of the best linebackers in college football and give the Wildcats some serious star power, but there have been some growing pains.

The senior had to learn Kentucky’s scheme. Dumas-Johnson is now gaining comfort and confidence in this new system.

“Every day you see a guy that’s more and more confident and more and more comfortable within our scheme,” said White.

“Our defensive system for him is really starting to make sense.”

White mentioned that helmet communication has helped the SEC transfer in practice when a teaching point needs to be made. Kentucky’s defensive coordinator will not say who will get the helmet communication but Dumas-Johnson will be asked to be a heavy communicator. The transfer is quickly gaining confidence in this new system.