Maxwell Hairston on Florida's offense: "We have to pay attention to the running backs"

Maxwell Hairston, the star of Kentucky’s win over Vanderbilt last weekend, became a celebrity in the college football world for his two pick-6s against the Commodores — the first player in school history to pull that off in a single game. Even days removed from his National Defensive Player of the Week performance, the redshirt sophomore cornerback is still making the media rounds.

On Wednesday, Hairston went on the SEC Network’s Out of Pocket show to talk with Alyssa Lang and Takeo Spikes about the win over Vanderbilt and Kentucky’s plans for Florida this weekend. When asked what he’s seen on film regarding the Gators this week, Hairston was quick to answer, immediately identifying Florida’s rushing attack as UK’s top priority on defense. It’s been a theme all week for the Wildcats’ defensive approach.

“We have to pay attention to the running backs, definitely have to wrap up on them,” Hairston said of UF. “They have a good group of running backs, a good group of receivers. We’ve just been watching what they like to do, all the different formations, and we’ve just been studying. They’re an explosive offense, and we just got to make sure we’re dialed into every call and be able to recognize the different formations they come out in.”

.@MHairston22 on @SECNetwork "Out of Pocket" pic.twitter.com/72lW0Nlx8a

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 28, 2023

Florida has a pair of physical rushers in the backfield. Trevor Etienne is the explosive workhorse, averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 49 touches, while Montrell Johnson isn’t too far behind with 4.6 yards per carry on 46 touches. Together, those two have combined for over 500 yards and five touchdowns on the ground through four games. Florida ranks fourth in the SEC in overall rushing so far this season.

Missed tackles — a slight issue for Kentucky through four games — cannot be tolerated, especially if those running backs make it into the secondary. Florida is running the ball 58 percent of the time on offense. The Gators roll out a talented receiving core, but their bread and butter lies within running the rock and eating the clock. Defensive coordinator Brad White emphasized this once again during Wednesday’s media availability.

“The first place you go is the running backs. 7 (Etienne) and 2 (Johnson) are as good as you’ll find in this league,” White said. “Etienne with his burst and 2 with his strength, really pose a huge issue, and they’re really patient. They set up their blocks.”

Kentucky will welcome Florida to Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon sporting the top rush defense in the SEC (77.5 yards per game). No opponent has run for over 100 yards in a single game so far, but none of those teams were as committed to putting the ball on the ground as the Gators will be.