WATCH: Brad White's Jacquez Jones, UK Defense Updates

UK defensive coordinator Brad White took the stand after Kentucky’s practice in Tuesday’s 90-degree heat. He spoke of tackling (it needs to improve), cornerback depth (Jalen Geiger earned a mention) and the forecast for Jacquez Jones’ return to the field. The transfer from Ole Miss has been sidelined for most of the preseason.

“I think he’ll be pretty quick,” White said of his expectations for Jones’ return. “He’s an extremely smart football player; obviously, a young man that’s played in the SEC for three years, so football moves at a little bit slower pace for him. Right now for the freshmen, everything is warp speed; things are slower for him, things are slower for DeAndre Square.

“Coming off an injury, those guys tend to—once they get healthy, the game speed and understanding our playbook, I do not see being an issue.”

Asked if Jones will be available for the home opener, White replied, “I think there’s an opportunity for that.”

One other exciting linebacker update, White named Jordan Wright as a player he expects to help in Kentucky’s pass rush.

“I’ve been pleasantly pleased with Jordan Wright,” he said. “I think he’s ready to take the next step, and we’re going to need him to as a rusher. He’s really, really focused hard on that.”

Hear everything White had to say in the noisy video below.