Improved cornerback depth could bolster Kentucky's defense

The pass defense was a major weakness for the Kentucky football program in 2024. Most notably, there were some coverage issues in the secondary. When Andru Phillips and Maxwell Hairston were knocked out of the Gator Bowl, Kentucky got exposed and that led to Clemson’s comeback victory. The Wildcats have made an effort in the offseason to fix the secondary.

At safety, Kentucky returns three players who played over 200 snaps last season and added Alabama transfer Kristian Story. At cornerback, Hairston returns. Jantzen Dunn and JQ Hardaway are also back after up-and-down first years in the system. Michigan transfer DJ Waller Jr. joined the program during the spring transfer portal window along with three class of 2024 high school signees. All of those combine to give position coach Chris Collins a room with more balance.

“This corner room is the deepest room that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Hairston told the media on Saturday. “I feel like we have guys that are young and can play right now. We also have that experience.”

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Hairston checks the experience box. So do Dunn and Hardaway after getting their first extensive playing time at the college football level last season. Waller gives the room another high-end talent with great length. Former top-250 recruit Terhyon Nichols is pushing playing time in year one and Quay’Sheed Scott made a nice interception in a scrimmage on Saturday.

The arrow for this position appears to be pointing up. Reports out of fall camp indicate that Kentucky will get more aggressive in coverage this season. That would not be happening if the coaching staff did not feel good about the personnel in the room. Hairston is leading the charge but improved depth with some good class balance should lead to improved pass defense numbers this season.

“I’m excited for this group,” Hairston said.

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