First Down Kentucky: Mark Stoops has a type at cornerback

Kentucky’s passing defense was a problem in 2023. Some of that blame was placed on the cornerback position. The Wildcats have used recruiting to try and fix some of those problems. That roster-building process over the last two seasons has included getting bigger at cornerback.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has a type. In KSR’s projected defensive two-deep, every player is at least six-foot tall. DJ Waller Jr. and JQ Hardaway are listed at 6-foot-3.

“That’s a Coach Stoops standard. He wants length, man. Even if they’re not above that six-foot, we want guys who are long, who are thick and firm. Losing Dru (Phillips), we had to go out and replace some body types with that,” Kentucky defensive backs coach Chris Collins told the media on Thursday. “We were able to address that in recruiting.”

“It’s able to affect the reception point. Guys are able to finish tackles more efficiently with those long limbs, and it creates disruption in timing. That’s what that length does for us in terms of what we’ve been as a scheme.”

Kentucky is hopeful that the length in the secondary will lead to more wins on the outside. The plan is still for the Wildcats to get more sticky in coverage this season, and that could include more man coverage from the Wildcats. The defense will need some of the new guys to step up.

First Down Kentucky is taking a closer look at one of those new guys while Jim Harbaugh and Deion Sanders continue to make headlines.

Previous relationship helped get DJ Waller Jr. to Kentucky

Michigan cornerback DJ Waller Jr. made a surprising move when the sophomore entered the transfer portal following the spring game in Ann Arbor. Kentucky quickly made a move and landed the Youngstown native. The previous relationship with the coaching staff in Lexington helped UK land the Big Ten transfer.

“We had a prior relationship,” Chris Collins told the media. “We recruited him the first cycle through.”

“He already kind of knew what the plan would be, in terms of his development. Now it’s about being consistent in that plan while he’s here. I’m excited about where he can be if he continues to invest in that process.”

Waller’s length is needed on the outside, and the transfer will play a role for Kentucky this season as the program’s next player from the strong Youngstown pipeline has arrived.

Jim Harbaugh doesn’t care about the NCAA

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was just hit with four-year show-cause and a year-long suspension from the NCAA for recruiting violations in 2021 when the Wolverines hosted prospects on campus. Harbaugh lied to investigators despite incriminating evidence. After Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, Michigan decided to stop fighting and accepted the violations. Meanwhile, the sign-stealing investigation is still ongoing.

Michigan is in some hot water, but that’s not going to stop Jim Harbaugh from being affiliated with the program. Harbaugh will serve as the team’s honorary captain when the Wolverines open the season against Fresno State in Week 1.

Some more trouble is coming, and that could include another suspension for head coach Sherrone Moore after he deleted text messages from Connor Stalions. But in the meantime, Harbaugh is going to be Harbaugh. College football will miss him.

Coach Prime is a fan of the Pitt football program

Pittsburgh saw multiple defensive starters leave the program in the offseason via the transfer portal. Two contributors landed at Colorado. Dayon Hayes led the Panthers in pressures (44). Samuel Okunola was a key young defensive line piece. Both will be playing football for Colorado this fall.

Deion Sanders wanted to thank Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi for helping upgrade the pass rush in Boulder.

“I’m seeing pretty much 4-5 guys that can bump, run and cover all day. That front cooperates with the backend. The pass rushers that we have, shoot. I want to thank the head coach from Pittsburgh for preparing those young men for us,” Sanders said. “Thank you, Pittsburgh. I appreciate everything, god bless you.”

There is nothing else like this sport. For good measure, Coach Prime also wanted all of us to know that he is beefing with CBS. The national network employed Sanders from 2001-04 as a member of The NFL Today pregame show.

Colorado will not be boring this season.