Kentucky's defense is not lacking confidence

Defensive coordinator Brad White is now in year six in Lexington and will be calling plays for a fifth straight season. After consecutive top-35 points per drive finishes, expectations are high for this defense in 2023. With nine players that played 300-plus snaps last year returning, the Wildcats are looking to build on their experience. The confidence is high early in fall camp.

Kentucky is feeling very good about their defensive unit in the preseason. With experience at multiple spots, the defense is making some real strides during fall camp.

The light is coming on for Trevin Wallace

Kentucky pulled off a huge recruiting win in the 2021 cycle when the Wildcats completed a flip from Boston College to land Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County linebacker Trevin Wallace. Despite a big push for Auburn, UK was able to land Wallace’s signature, and the former top-125 recruit found an immediate role in Lexington.

As a true freshman, Wallace played 241 snaps recording 32 tackles and returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown against Florida. As a sophomore, Wallace started six games and finished with 54 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. All signs point to a potential breakthrough season in 2023.

The light appears to be coming on for the talented junior.

“He’s really started to hone his eyes. Now it’s like the nitty gritty details. I’ve been pleased with his hand use — taking on blockers. He’s been more physical which you need to be in our defense. His understanding of our defense when I talk to him about scheme, big picture he can visualize. So that’s a big thing when you’ve got that ability to not have to see it on the whiteboard,” White told reporters on Thursday. “I can just describe something that’s happening, and he can autocorrect from there.”

This is a very, very good sign for one of the most talented players on Kentucky’s roster. Wallace made some flash plays as a sophomore with a big third quarter interception against Louisville and some key tackles for loss. The linebacker has shown a knack for creating havoc plays and that’s something the Wildcats need more of on defense. As his football intelligence improves, it will allow Wallace to play faster which could lead to some very bright moments.

“There’s a comfortability right now to how he’s playing the game which allows him to play fast,” White said. “When Trevin’s playing fast it’s a different level of speed.”

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Alex Afari Jr. is more comfortable in year two

Alex Afari Jr. was another significant high school recruiting win for Kentucky. The West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West product was a top-250 recruit in the class of 2022 that carved out a role as a true freshman. The hybrid linebacker/safety started three games for the Wildcats finishing the season with 21 tackles and three tackles for loss.

The sophomore is expected to have a bigger role in his sophomore season. Due to some lack of depth at outside linebacker, Afari could be a member of the starting 11 on early downs before subpackages are needed for obvious passing situations. After adjusting in year one, Afari is playing with more confidence this season.

“There’s a confidence boost because there’s a comfort level. He understands what he needs to get done. I saw a headline the other day of Christian McCaffrey saying ‘it’s nice I’m not learning the playbook, I’m trying to master it’ or something to that extent,” Brad White said. “I think that’s kind of where he is.”

“Now let me get really good at it and honed in. I think there’s a comfort and a confidence. Again, it’s still not perfect. Everybody’s going to make mistakes, but obviously one we’re excited about.”

Expect the Greater Cincinnati native to have a big role this fall.

Expectations are high for Andru Phillips

Mauldin (S.C.) High and former Kentucky legacy recruit Andru Phillips finally carved out a role for himself in year three. As a redshirt sophomore, Phillips became Kentucky’s starting nickel and was a valuable piece of the defense. Now the redshirt junior will enter the season as a starter at cornerback.

The coaching staff is high on the veteran that recorded 31 tackles and five pass breakups in 13 games last season.

“There’s another guy playing with a lot of confidence right now. At both positions,” Brad White told the media on Thursday. “Excited to see him to have one of those big breakout years. It’s his time now for that.”

The plan for Phillips is to still play some nickel this season. There were some similar statements regarding a potential breakthrough coming for Carrington Valentine made last fall camp. A good year resulted in the cornerback becoming a draft pick. Phillips is looking to follow a similar path.