Kentucky’s Most Pressing Spring Practice Personnel Issue, Pt. 3: Cornerbacks

[Ed. Note: This is the third in a three-part series about Kentucky’s most pressing issues in Spring Practice. Check out Part One on the offensive tackles and Part Two on the receivers.]

Kentucky’s pass defense was the SEC’s best in 2019 and ’20 but dropped to eighth in ’21. Following the departures of Brandin Echols and Kelvin Joseph to the NFL and a pair of unexpected transfers (Jabari Brown and M.J. Devonshire) exited the program, Brad White was limited with just two slightly experienced corners and a converted safety at his disposal for the majority of last season. Once a program strength, the cornerback position has recently settled into being a point of concern. 

The cornerbacks were under the microscope a year ago and remain to be in the same focus for spring practice. Inexperience is abundant after a couple of junior college prospects failed to sign in December. Coach Chris Collins’ room is filled with uncertainty that will be on display over the next month. Let’s take a deeper look at available cornerbacks for spring practice. 

The Veteran

Carrington Valentine started twelve games last season and has played in 23 career contests. The rising junior finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles and also recorded five pass breakups. Listed at 6’0, 200 lbs., Valentine has the size that Stoops covets in the position. The Cincinnati, Ohio product is the most experienced corner on the roster and will be a starter in 2022. Coach Chris Collins needs Valentine to take a step forward in his development in order to become the most dependable corner on the two-deep depth chart. 

The Experiment 

Kentucky is experimenting with 6’1, 200-pound Safety/Nickel/Linebacker and special team’s enforcer Vito Tisdale at cornerback. Tisdale is a physical football player that should easily figure out the run defense aspect of the position. Mark Stoops has a preference to have his best eleven on the field at the same time. Tisdale is one of the top defenders on the team. His energy, disposition, and toughness give the Cats a much-needed edge. Will a permanent move to corner be in the future? That’s yet to be determined but it’s somewhat unlikely. Regardless of where, Tisdale will be on the field. 

Mandatory Development

Dru Phillips missed the first six games of last season. His absence was felt. Phillips is the most important player for the Kentucky defense during spring practice. Brad White needs the redshirt sophomore from Mauldin, South Carolina to develop into a starter-level contributor in a hurry. Early word from spring practice is that the defensive back has answered the call. I’ll say it again, Phillips’ progress is one of the most critical personnel matters during spring practice. 

Newcomers 

There are four first or second-year players that fit this category. First is redshirt freshman Adrian Huey who was a three-star prospect out of Nashville, Tennessee. The four-year letter winner signed with UK over Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, and others. Fellow redshirt freshman Maxwell Hairston was also a three-star. Hairston was ranked at the 19^th best prospect out of the state of Michigan and won a state title in 2020. 

Elijah Reed is a long, athletic true freshman out of Pleasure Ridge Park High School. The 6’3, 185-pound early enrollee has garnered praise in the early stages of spring drills. Andre Stewart is another early enrollee who was a highly pursued after signee from Atlanta, Georgia. Stewart recorded nine pass breakups and 25 tackles as a senior. He signed with UK over offers from Auburn, LSU, Miami, and several others.

This group requires an abundance of reps and technical growth in order to gain experience during spring practice. 2022 cornerback depth will come from these first and second-year players. It’s vital that at least two of the above-named corners develop into reliable backups. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Bottom line up front, Carrington Valentine needs to continue to improve as a full-time starting corner in the SEC. It’s also paramount that Dru Phillips locks down a starting spot. Additionally, quality depth from the newcomers is a priority. 

For the second consecutive season, Kentucky has personnel questions at the cornerback position. There should be more depth than a year ago. Carrington Valentine remains as the only lock for the starting lineup. Dru Phillips is an ultra-important piece of the equation that needs a confirming spring practice to ensure his role in the rotation. Vito Tisdale is being worked at CB. This move is not likely permanent. But, it does give Chris Collins an experienced option if the situation calls for an emergency situation this fall. 

There are multiple first and second-year players that will gain valuable experience during spring practice. The goal for that group is to attain confidence and to develop into rotational contributors. The Portal is always an option. Odds are that Kentucky will work to secure an experienced transfer after the spring session. Unforeseen circumstances left UK in a critical personnel standing in 2021. Mark Stoops will do all in his power to ensure that is not the case in 2022.