Kentucky Defense Prioritizing Being "Multiple"

Kentucky's defense is entering this season with talent at every position. One of the deciding factors for how good the unit will be is the defensive line, who will return the most experience out of any position on defense, and their performance will be a determining factor in how the defense as a whole does this season.

At the tackle spots, there is All-American candidate Deone Walker, Octavious Oxendine, and Keeshawn Silver, who all are returning players, adding in Tre'Vonn Ribka and Kahlil Saunders at defensive end. Then you get to the linebackers, who are bringing even more experience with JJ Weaver, D'Eryk Jackson, Alex Afari, and an experienced transfer in Pop Dumas-Johnson. In the secondary, Kentucky returns Zion Childress, Jordan Lovett, Maxwell Hairston, Jantzen Dunn, Nasir Addison Ty Bryant, and are bringing in Cam Dooley, JQ Hardaway, and Kristian Story.

There's plenty to like about Kentucky on that side of the ball. Something Defensive Coordinator Brad White has been stressing in practice is giving the offense multiple looks and keeping them on their toes. "We preach for our guys to be able to be multiple," White said. "When you can be multiple within the scheme, it allows us flexibility to do different things and it makes it harder on offenses." White says two guys that have bought into being multiple is Alex Afari Jr. and Zion Childress in the secondary. "The more we can do, the more versatile we can be. The more packages we can bounce in and out of, it makes it harder to identify."

Kentucky has certainly been making that a key point within the defense as the season nears.