Kentucky secondary is building depth during fall camp

Kentucky’s defense has many proven parts heading into 2023. In the front seven there are multiple potential All-SEC candidates. There is plenty of depth on the defensive line, and UK feels very comfortable with its starters at linebacker. The secondary is a different story.

While UK feels good about the safety position, there is a huge position battle going on at cornerback, and the search for increased depth is underway at fall camp. Despite some of the inexperience and unknowns, the Cats appear to be making some strides.

Cornerbacks are being stressed

Kentucky feels very confident in Andru Phillips. The redshirt junior has a starting spot locked down at one cornerback spot. However, the Wildcats would prefer to utilize Phillips in the slot on obvious passing downs. To do that, two new outside cornerbacks need to emerge.

At last week’s open practice, redshirt sophomore Maxwell Hairston looked to have the inside track at the CB2 spot, but this competition is ongoing.

“That’s a competitive room. Max has made some good plays. Continues to show up — been pleased. I thought JQ [Hardaway] probably had one of his best practices in camp today,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White told KSR on Thursday. “Obviously, Jordan Robinson is doing a lot of good things as well.”

“There’s a lot of competition in that room. It’s not perfect. There’s some things that we still need to get cleaned up.”

Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn is another player that should be in the mix for playing time. Kentucky has options, and they are currently working through those options. However, this secondary is getting challenged by a passing offense that continues to build hype during training camp.

“Again, offense is stretching us quite a bit. We knew that would happen, and that’s good. We need to feel getting beat — they need to know what it feels like. The receivers are doing a good job of being able to push and stretch vertically on us.,” White said. “It’s one thing we’ve always taken pride on is not giving up big plays. We’ve gotta continue to improve there.”

Kentucky has hung its hat on big-play prevention under White. The new personnel situation at cornerback is working through some growing pains, but the coaching staff appears to feel optimistic about what is available at that spot. There are options, and this is a competition that could linger into the season.

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Jalen Geiger’s return is ahead of schedule

Rewind the clock to this time last year, and Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley product Jalen Geiger was poised for a big season. After playing a reserve role in 2021, Geiger was ready to step into a starting role at free safety and become one of Kentucky’s most dependable players. Unfortunately, Geigers redshirt junior season didn’t last long.

The former three-star recruit in the class of 2019 suffered a season-ending knee injury in a Week 2 win over Florida and was sidelined for the rest of the season. A long, grueling rehab process followed that, but now Geiger is 100 percent full go less than a year later.

“It was very tough. This was the first big injury I’ve ever had in my career. It was definitely something different for me, but I knew I had to be a leader and kind of be there for my guys,” Geiger told KSR. “So I attacked the rehab as hard as I ever did.”

Geiger has no limitations and is currently playing strong safety for Kentucky right now in a position battle with Zion Childress. However, the veteran is also getting some work at free safety and even got some looks at nickel on Thursday. Geiger’s versatility will become very valuable for UK this season. The redshirt senior cannot wait for the first scrimmage of fall camp to get here on Saturday.

“I’m definitely chomping at the bit,” Geiger said when asked about the upcoming 11-on-11 scrimmage. “I haven’t tackled somebody since September. I’ve been out here flying around and definitely having fun back out here with my guys.”

Kentucky feels very good about its top three at safety. Geiger’s return is a major reason why.