LaRosa's Leftovers: Kentucky Football Practice Quotes, Video

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Tuesday was the defense’s day to speak to the media after Kentucky Football practice and last night we shared with you Brad White’s comments regarding his linebackers and the projected timeline for the debut of Jacquez Jones.

Also available were veterans Marquan McCall, the team’s starting nose guard, and defensive back Davonte Robinson, a sixth-year super-senior from Lexington, Kentucky.

A summary of their comments sponsored by our friends at LaRosa’s Pizza:

Jalen Geiger had a good camp

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jalen Geiger was a popular man in Tuesday’s conversations about the Kentucky secondary.

“He’s a guy that can play a lot of different positions, really had one of the better camps probably of anybody on defense,” said defensive coordinator Brad White.

Joining the praise of Geiger, veteran safety Davonte Robinson named Geiger as a player making an impact in the secondary.

“One guy who’s really stepped up this camp to me is Jalen Geiger,” said Robinson. “He’s made plays all over the field this whole camp. I’m ready to see him in action on Saturday because he is one of those guys I’ve always had my eyes on; I knew he was special and he’s come out of his shell.”

Geiger’s opportunities are likely to increase with Vito Tisdale, Joel Williams and Andru Phillips away on suspension.

Fan excitement

Fan excitement is a two-way relationship, and the players are equally excited to see you in the stands this fall as you are to see them from the stands.

Robinson said, “It means a lot. Last year, third down, we missed the crowd yelling behind us. It was kind of quiet, they were as loud as they could be. But it really helps us out a lot too when quarterbacks are trying to hear their coaches change up plays and stuff like that, so it does mean a lot.”

Marquan McCall said of the return of crowds, “It means everything to me. I feel like the fans bring us more energy and make us go harder, especially on third downs. The fact that we got full capacity again is amazing to me.”

Brad White on the new tribute to Schlarman

When asked about the new banner outside Kroger Field in memory of John Schlarman, Brad White said, “What an unbelievable tribute. To walk out today and to see that, and to know every time we walk into the stadium, whether it be for a scrimmage, a practice, a game, and you look at really the model of what being a Kentucky Football player, coach, alumni, you name it; he was all of that. I think it’s a great reminder not just for the people that are in this program that were around him and knew Coach Schlarman, but for those that didn’t.

We talked about how he was The Great American, but he’s really a great Kentuckian and everybody gets to see it when they come to Kroger Field now. That’s really, really moving for us; it was an emotional tribute.”

Full Post-Practice Interviews: