Live Now: Kentucky Football Media Day presented by UKHealthCare

there welcome everyone to Media day we're excited to get things started prac just start on Wednesday toward the season opener on August 31 Mississippi coach Mark STS of course entering his 12th season now as head coach the the longest term current coach in the SEC and Coach we will turn it over to you okay thanks Tony great seeing everybody what a great turnout I expect to see it like this every Monday right every Monday at noon so uh hope you all had a great summer it was good seeing some of you at SEC media days um and you know since then it's been great to get started we've been on the on the grass for for two days officially with our team um I like the way practice has started uh the guys are uh in very good shape they worked very hard uh this off season credit to our strength and conditioning team with um uh Mark Hill and and Cory Edmond and and and their staff the players look really good um the coaches have worked uh quite a bit as I've mentioned before a little bit uh more freedom and autonomy for us to work with our our players through the summer and that's evident but that's going to be the same way with everybody I think teams are going to be further along than they used to be just with the ability to work with them some some more in the summer so uh off to a good start I feel pretty good about this football team um I feel like we have depth in key areas um injury bug hit us a bit in the spring I I'll get into that a little bit for you so we don't have to ask all the questions but uh overall good depth good team good attitude and uh really excited to to continue to push forward I think last year I mentioned to you it was a you know it's open to you guys this afternoon I think you guys are going to come to practice if you want and so uh you could go out there and get your get your own eyes on the team so I look forward to seeing you out there at practice and having a great year um with the injuries um Josiah Hayes will be out for an extended period of time uh Tavon Gaton who filled in as a Young D lman last year for you know uh for Josiah in the spring he'll be out for an extended period of time I if if these are either going to be the full year or close to it uh same with quo Marshall at the corner and then Darren Henry young at defensive line as well outside of that we're in pretty decent shape we have a few just one uh guy out there that you'll probably go out and and look for a practice he won't be out there just a soft tissue injury other than that we're in pretty good shape coach what about leadership on this football team um yet to be you know we we will see as we move forward there's certainly some guys that have been around a long time you look at JJ Weaver uh deark Jackson you know even Marcus Cox even though he's a transfer uh you know been around for a while so um I feel very good about it that that is always developed as the year goes on and through training camp you know as uh even yesterday it was good you know the first day we go out there it was beautiful weather it was overcast and it was almost cool you know then yesterday the the sun broke out and there was some heat and some humidity and as we go through uh practice you know as as guys get tired and get irritable you know um your true colors kind of shine when you get tired and hot and irritable and that's going to be a long Camp so I think that's when the leadership will need uh great leadership as we move forward first coming in pretty good you yeah I like I like you know I like our team I like the uh yeah I do um they they've really helped our team I think we took a transfer at just about every position except tight end so we just want to supplement our roster in that area I don't have those numbers I had them right before I went to the um to the media days but I want to say maybe overall we're at I want to say 35 36 and um you know that's a good mixture right there you know I still feel like the the uh the majority of our team is guys that we recruit out of high school and try to want to continue to to follow that model recruit and develop young men and then uh supplement them with the portal when we need to what are your expectations for denius Jackson as a guy you had late in the process yeah I think you know he he's a guy that we needed to to add for that very reason John you know we just felt like you know we took some hits at that specific position and so you know even as we want to be physical and get through Camp you know he's a he's a big body in there that we need it retention install pardon me retention install you said it's going pretty well yeah if you look at our team you know defensively we return a a guys that have played a lot of football for us and uh I think that's important you know in our defensive staff the continuity that we have there and then the the you know players that have game experience is is invaluable you know and then you had a guy like pop who's played a lot of ball at Georgia so there's some pretty good experience there um offensively again there's some guys that played a lot I think we supplemented in some areas that we needed to certainly in the quarterback position you know we've we've gone to the portal uh for SE several years now um we feel really good about the high school guy uh we took and cutter he's going to be a special player but we want to give him time to to mature and grow and um uh but Brock has done a a a very good job and you know we're excited about him and then also Gavin you know and and what he brings to the table and he's got some snaps under his belt and the Big 10 he's a big strong guy could throw it he could run and then you know was also really good to bring go back you know you you've seen what happened in years past when you're not deep at that position uh some funny things can happen so we feel like we do have some really quality depth at that position Mark you guys have always had stap of your offensive line in the early years especially just being a strong suit here you guys kind some bunps in the road a few years ago picked it back up again last year what are your expectations for that room I know it's early in can just how how are they developing yeah I want to continue to grow I think that there's no mystery there you know I've said it since day one it's very important we have Eric wolfford back I think coach Wolford does a phenomenal job not only coaching and and that practice but the way he recruits and uh um you know I feel I feel like we're going to continue to progress in there and then we're going to continue to add depth we're going to continue to get better and uh so I feel I feel much better about that position Deion Walker is a guy that you always expect big things out of it seems like in big year for him what do you expect from him as head coach yeah just Dion I just you know want him to continue to progress he he certainly has I think he'll be the first one to tell you he's working really hard just physically on his body he's working hard to continue to be a strong leader for us and uh make a difference on and off the field um he's very disruptive obviously the length that he has the way he plays he's a he's a unique individual that's for sure there's not too many guys um you know playing that that look like him and that have that kind of size and and uh you know speed and and the mobility that he has he's very explosive guy for for his size so I just want to see him take another step coach looking at the younger guys on the defensive side uh some of the incoming freshman especially the Smith twins what have you like seeing from them over these last couple practices yeah the the the Smith Brothers It's good to see him um out there you know full strength and uh um getting better you know uh gerod is a guy that put on some weight he is uh you know very U you know he's getting you know very explosive for a young guy and so we will see uh where where that takes him and Jacob he didn't get a chance I think I you guys heard me talk briefly um post spring about just seeing him out there seeing him on his feet he had a shoulder injury so he wasn't able to do too much in the spring um but right now um you know we've had two days without shoulder p ads on and he looks good and uh they're good players and you know give him a chance to grow up and just get in the system for a while but good good players there's obviously a lot of De that receiver this year but spring there's a lot of talk of Harley Gilmore so what are kind of the expectations from him this year yeah again I think with Hardley he had an opportunity in Spring to really show at times really show some flashes and he's a guy we still really think highly of um but but he's a freshman you know and uh again just just as I mentioned with the Smith twins just give him a chance to grow up and and mature and and learn and and grow and so I I don't I don't want to put the expectations too high on any young man until they have an opportunity to continue to to be in our system and and go through some practices so there's some guys ahead of them that have some pretty good experience that are pretty good players Mar you mentioned you got a lot of experienced guys back on defense where do you you want to get better defensively last year I me this year over last year well there's a number of areas I mean you know we want to get continue to get off the field you know we did a decent job at times but we got to you know get better at third down you know and execute and and and U get some more three and outs get off the field I'd like to see the offense have more possessions more plays we've talked about that with the tempo with the offense but that goes hand inand the defense has to play well you know and get off the field uh when we have opportunities to get off the field we have to do that you know I think we were disruptive last year I like that I like the fact that we created negative yardage plays we had some more sacks we getting some pressure but we got want to continue to build on that you want to continue to be able to when you want to rush for and and and get good great pressure you know we when you know some of the best defenses we've had here you know was predictable pass and you know rushing for and playing coverage and mixing up the coverages and getting good pressure you know and so I think that's an area that we need to improve I think obviously uh the corner position getting sticky being able to play some man you know there's times when we played man last year got beat believe me we mix it all up and uh you know there's times when we have to play tight you know we got to get sticky we got to get tighter coverage we have to be able to win some one-on-one matchups Mark scking like cornerback position you didn't have much experience last year outside of Andrew now it seems like you got a lot more experience this year have you seen that start to pay off so far in the offseason and start practice so far I mean you know it's been just two days um so we'll see as uh as we continue to go through I know there's more bodies out there to work with and I feel like we built some depth at that position and uh we still have some guys that maybe don't have uh a ton of experience um but but have uh another year under their belt um so you know we'll we'll see um a guy like DJ Waller you know we brought in a transfer has great length like some of the other Corners we've had in years past uh JQ is a guy that was here last year but I'd like to see a little more out of him we have we feel like we have a a great one in Maxwell um and I think he's geared up to have a really big year and he needs to Jansen Dunn is a guy that we've talked about we you know played some nickel playing playing well a corner um again I'd like to see some growth in that area from him um and then uh toan Nichols a young freshman that was impressive for us in the spring when he was out there he had an injury as well in the spring but he's back to full strength a guy like nesser Addison was with us all last year I feel like he's he has the skills to be successful as well um but but uh I I need to continue and we need to continue to challenge him to see if he can make that next step Mark we're a few years into that year of college football where're bringing in 30 plus guys isn't really an odd that much anymore that kudi that you were talking about before how have you had to adjust as a head coach to make sure that that hits quicker this year may easier yeah I think you know we have great leadership I think as we mentioned I feel like the the transfers that we brought in fit well here I think that's an important piece to make sure the transfers are coming for the right reason and they fit our system and then with us we just try to expediate that process and and have a more in tune to our culture earlier than normal and try to to um you know continue to to feed him that message and you know sometimes it's like drinking with a fire hose but you know we want we want to do the best we can uh to educate them and and to see that the culture that we want Mark 12 years is not to call you old but it's a long time oh no you can you know to still have to learn so much about the sport obviously it's changing so much and then the rule changes College athletics as a whole does it ever surprise you how much you still have to learn each and every no no that doesn't um it doesn't you know that's been that way um you know since day one when you walk in here I I said it you know 12 years ago through some ups and some downs and mostly Downs early on but but that that I was prepared for it I knew what I was getting into that doesn't mean that it's easy that doesn't mean that you take it all in stride every day you walk in there there's a new new challenge or you know something you have to deal with and I and I embrace that you know there there's young men that are going through things in there that need counseling that need talk you know to that you you you got to put your arm around sometimes you got to you got to push them when they don't want to be pushed and I love that part of it and so there's just different challenges each and every day and I feel as good about that right now as I did then as far as embracing those you know challenges and sometimes they're more difficult than others how well of a job you feel like you have done building this program oh I I don't know I mean I can't you know that's a sound bite right in the happen right there you know what I mean like I'll leave that to you all I'm just trying to as I mentioned I I really truly am I think I we have a great staff a really good team I'm just trying to get better Coach you uh you guys have had a really strong running game as long as you've been here uh lot of new faces in that room uh you following Denny and right it's stuff to follow up and bush has said you guys are going to run the ball how progress in and with him being the new OC just talk about the Run game for us well I really like you know what he does in the Run game with bush uh there there's no doubt I mean you know any good offensive coordinator is going to you know have that ability to be able to run the ball um we talked about it we talked about what what the offensive line and up front um you know we have to be more physical we have to be able to get tough yards you know we were you know at our best or doing some really good things when the entire Stadium knew we were going to run the ball and we still ran the ball for some success you know critical moment you're still going to need to do that you know sometimes when you're bleeding the clock or trying to win a game or you know in four-minute offense you know you have to be tough and physical and run the ball when everybody knows you're going to run the ball um you know obviously I think we're looking for that that balance you know and and uh you're going to be able to create explosive plays if you're able to run the ball better that's just you know that's just the nature of the Beast um so I I like what bush is doing I like the way he mixes it up um he does a very good job of uh window dressing he does a very good job of cutting off the defense and uh with deception and with uh motions uh you know it's it's a it's a mixture you know getting things on the perimeter with running things downhill and the play action off of it so I feel good the running back room you know to to some extent is unproven you know we we'll see you know what what they will do I believe in those guys I think there's a really good mixture of players in there where we have the big strong bruisers that we've had before and some guys that can be Electric in the open field so I think that'll work its way out Mark you guys are much better on special teams last year but adding L to kind of help field position how important was that yeah I I think it was really important just to improve and um you know we're going to continue to to work at that you know and and and get better and uh the same with Jacob cway you know uh eventually replace Alex you know after this year um but you don't know you maybe he'll maybe he'll hit a few this year too he you know yesterday was the first time cuz he didn't kick the first day but yesterday was the first time I I saw him kick live and he he now the 50 yard right I mean with plenty of room you know so uh so we'll see um you know I feel like we're you know we want to continue to get better I think we were much better in special teams at times when when it showed its ugly head the wrong way a lot of times it was kicks and that's you know that's something that we we need to be very consistent at Mark you've been saying you want last question you've been saying that you've been wanting to snap the ball a lot more frequently and play at a maybe higher Tempo this year how have you been working on that Tempo with the offense and how much are you going to be working sure again I think I want everybody to understand this I've said it 20 times yes I do but I'm not trying to be a Tempo offense we're not trying to be you know Old Miss and Tennessee and some of those teams that do it exceptionally well and it just snap it with 30 seconds on the play clock you know that's that's a different style and it's very difficult to defend and they do it very well that that's just we can't be that overnight I just also don't want to snap it with two and three and four seconds on the play clock either I'd like to see more snaps so there's going to be a balance there we're not trying to be in a complete hurry we're just trying to be more efficient get in a rhythm and get some more plays off so the you know any any any of these offensive coordinators have that ability to go super fast to go medium to go at the line I think just trying to get in a rhythm and um you know hopefully get some more snaps that ALS comes from getting first downs if we get first downs guys are going to get more touches you know so you have to make sure you're still putting them in a position to be successful and again that that just like I touched on earlier defense getting off the field special teams putting them us us in good position and offense getting first downs you do that then we're not going to sit here after game saying why did so and so only get so many of this and so many of that because we only had 55 plays you know 60 plays that's sometimes that's that's uh frustrating cuz I do feel like we have some Playmakers but we have to get first downs and then we'll get more touches okay folks thank you very much we have Coach H in here [Applause] [Applause] [Music] you're [Applause] [Music] all right folks ready with offensive coordinator Bush Hampton uh his first season at UK and so we will go ahead and turn it loose and uh open up for [Applause] you you see quarter at the same time what do you envision how do you envision you we're only two three practices in so um I I would definitely agree with that I think we're going to utilize him in a lot of those Wildcat type situations uh at the very least you know but we know this you guys know this about this conference you have the uh opportunity to acquire Talent and and you got to do that he's a big physical talented player I think when you guys get the opportunity to see him at practice uh you'll see how Dynamic of a player he is and so a little bit of uh you know wait and see on on how that role goes what do you want to what do you emphasizing with Brock going into fall after the spring and the summer we've discussed it before you know I think so much of it is a leadership part you know you're a new guy coming into a new program uh new offensive coordinator so much is about scheme and the plays uh but don't lose sight of what that looks like when you're in a locker room and building those relationships with the guys as the true signal caller certainly from a play style standpoint it always comes down to accuracy to uh decision-making toughness uh but we really don't want to lose sight of that that leadership part is he is he adjusting to your system pretty well yeah he's doing a great job he really is he's smart guy smart smart player tough can run um all those things again I think we've had success with probably in the last 3 to five years uh guy like Brady cook at Missouri you see what his skill set looks like what ton green did last year at Boise Maddox Madson uh we think he's right in the mold of of a guy we like for this system he know what are hope so what's the biggest trait that you've liked from him so far at the quarterback position he he's a consumate pro I've said that multiple times this is a a big-time Football League uh we get done with practices at 6:30 30 he wants to be up in the facility uh he's already watching games on opponents all those types of things we know uh at this position it comes down to kind of locking yourself in that room if you will taking aside what the naysayers have to say and just working and keep getting better every day and I think he's a guy that understands that lot talk about establishing the Run getting more physical up front just what are your thoughts like right now going in this season about the offensive line it seems like I'll maybe have maybe the most experienced line talk about starts how much can that help you kind of accomplish that goal we've got good depth and and I think you mentioned it right there uh it's certainly there's the Comfort feeling about you know Eli Cox at Center and and what he can do and the amount of games he's played in um certainly feel good about those guys we got a long way to go as you know most coaches are going to say that just three three practices in uh but certainly needs to be a really solid group for us with the amount of starts those guys have made U brought an NFL schematic last year and it um started to challenge Deon L's ability to get plays off is it your expectation that using that new helmet com system is going to make your ability to do complex plays with your quarterback easier I think so I think the starting point is still trying to uh keep it as simple as possible for guys to go play Fast uh I think the even more critical thing though is The Challenge on me of what information to give them you know as you guys know we're we're all Maybe parents sometimes our kids don't want to hear a lot but they just got to hear enough and I think of that you know when we get that play call in uh how can we be clear concise repetitive and give him just the things he needs to be successful with that play barion was just kind of begging to hit on one of those deep balls and he he has obviously has that ability to get open down the field but he was just begging I mean he was open on a lot of those do you see that you know being obviously not going to hit home run balls every play but is there the opportunity to hit on some of those and and do you see him kind of taking that jump everything we have to do is to throw the ball downfield and and get them those opportunities so uh in this system we want to run the football but the number one first and foremost thing is create an explosive plays and uh we are going to look to do that early we're going to look to do that often with him and some of these other guys in this room that can do it because as you know when you have a premier player like him defenses are going to lean to his side at times and create a lot of one-on-one opportunities for about five or six other guys that we feel can all contribute and make plays uh we're excited about the potential for throwing him the ball down the field but also getting him the ball uh in space and what he can do as a ball carrier coach you guys have had you guys have a lot of folks in that wide receiver room but barion and D have been here for three years three offensive coordinators three quarterbacks how do you feel like some of those guys that have been in that room for a while are adjusting to your system this quarterback because they've been through so much turnover they've got a level of experience again they've played for some great coaches some great systems so a lot of it just comes down to we used to call this this scheme and now we're calling it that scheme what what guys like that never lose though is the technique and the fundamentals and the experience uh that that always stays with you even with a change in the coordinator so excited about those guys there's a level maturity again in this league right from one week to the next of just staying the course we're going to rely on their experience in that position uh certainly with some of these younger guys that are extremely talented uh who we think we can get going Mark just spoke a little bit about the tempo and finding a balance between what that looks like to you what does that we are going to run 100 plays a game and be the fastest offense in the country so oh man I think I lose you know lose sleep over the tempo question and you guys come here and ask me I think the biggest thing this is with Tempo in our systems that we've had um again if you go back to the tape right uh I think about last year at Memphis we get down we've got the ability I think we put 17 points up in like seven minutes because we have the ability to play extremely fast we always want to be somewhere in the middle and what that means is have the flexibility depending on how the game's going to do whatever it takes to win the football game and I think that's important for us all to know know for me the checklist in Fall Camp is we got periods where we are playing as fast as anybody in the country onew plays getting up there snapping the ball within 7 Seconds we also have that Focus where we can huddle operate execute take time off the clock so I know everybody wants to play Fast uh it always comes back down to execution with us and I just uh I think the thing I want you guys to know is we are going to have the ability to play fast and and keep people on their feet students mentioned you guys didn't really have to add anything to that tight end room there's a lot of experience and a lot of death in that room what do you expect to see from them this year and how are you kind of trying to use them this year um okay that's the second question I'm losing sleepover right is is are we getting the tight ends the ball so uh again it's a solid group from top to bottom right when we think about the three guys between Dingle uh ctis Kamari the talent level with Kamari is an intriguing young player for us as well any types of systems like this we want to establish the run and create explosives down the field no better player to create explosives with than the tight end because obviously defenses think they're in all the Run schemes so it's going to be a balance uh certainly with each player of asking him to be a physical blocker down the field and create explosives uh we we think those guys will be an intricate part of our passing game get to work with Jor mlin again what have you seen from him from the last time time and could he be maybe be a guy that could be back that explosive playmaker for you he he's in that category of of Dane and barion from a guy who's been through a lot you know that's a a 20 21y old college football player that has seen it at different levels played a lot of football uh we have been extremely impressed with his route running ability his ability to make guys miss he he's a guy that's just you know chipping away at it but he's certainly the the next guy we're looking uh to get the ball to don't you like a Jal love it love it it's been great I I mean this I said this earlier um you know there's great people in this city and I think you guys know that how how they've welcomed me uh it's been a great place for my my wife my kids and the culture here is just different it's special it really is again I haven't been anywhere where uh you got a head coach that's been in place for 12 years and then you look at the staff right this has got to be one of the longest tenured staffs in America and that's just speaks to to what coach has done they know exactly what he wants they know exactly how it needs to be done what the standard is and because of that it's a culture where the players are excited to be here every day he understands we got to get him ready but that doesn't mean we got to burn them out and wear them out on day one and I just think the mixture of all those things how how tremendous the people of the city have been the culture coach has here to understanding that he has nothing comes to his desk that he's surprised by uh with the experience he has has made this an unbelievable fit for me and my family when you got here after you know having gone through spring and and learning more about them is there anything that maybe you've tweaked or or adjusted I'm sorry say one more time on the front end you were getting to know your personal when you got here and having gone through spring getting to know them a little better seeing what you've got have you kind of adjusted or tweaked anything that that maybe you thought about them coming into the job yeah I think so you're always doing that you know I think the biggest thing is just the challenge of uh you have your position room battles you know and players think okay here I am I'm second on the depth chart at receiver I'm third uh at the depth chart at receiver the biggest thing that I'm just echoing to them is we have battles from group to group and what I mean by that is right uh there's times you're making the decision to we play with 13 Personnel three tight ends in the game there's groups we like 12 Personnel we like 11 personnel right now we feel like we could go out there with four wide receivers and do some different things so I think that's the biggest thing not necessarily schematically that change in plays but who's going to be doing those plays and that's what we've been stressing to the players all along is uh we got to find those guys that have the ability to do a lot of different things and if they can do a lot of different things well uh they're going to be on the field okay folks thank you very much appreciate you guys welcome to the next yeah thanks guys [Applause] be careful rece [Applause] you [Applause] see defens coordinator Brad white Brad hry is seventh season on UK staff and sixth as the defensive coordinator we will uh turn to lose to coach white questions for Coach Brad what what are some what are some things that you were not happy about last year that you really want to focus on with your guys this year yeah when you look back and you self Scout yourself and and you look what you need to do better um obviously uh third down defense and there were some specifically uh towards the back end of the season third and long situations especially extra long uh you you know was an area that uh historically if you look we've been we've been really good and we were not you know not anywhere close to the standard that we need to be at um you know and it cost us you know and when you give up third Downs you extend drives you know and extended drives leads to points it leads to uh less opportunities for the offense uh so obviously that was that that's going to be a primary focus again you know the year before uh in 22 uh was sort of our best year ever in third down defense and there's a correlation to to how well we played as a defense so we need to get back there a nose tackle there's some cross training going on now that you set us out for the year now do you feel about that group collectively that they'll be able to replace that loss yeah no you know what obviously when you when you lose a player um you know that some other guys have to step up I mean that's and that's the reality of sport that's the reality uh and we've dealt with it every year here uh at some position or another I feel really good if it was going to happen at a position that's probably the one to happen at um because I think the experience that we have up there uh defensive line wise the the quality uh of players that we have um allows us to to overcome that uh and we've got a bunch of guys that uh can play multiple spots across the front uh and I think that's going to be good for us too uh defensively in terms of uh being able to be multiple so um like anything else uh do you want it to happen no but is there uh silver lining in there as well I believe so you guys you guys lost some guys in that linebacker room but gained some pretty good ones as well can you talk about the leadership that pops bringing with his experience and just the linebacker room in general yeah you know when you talk about the linebacker room and you talk about experience and Leadership um you know I think you've got to specifically if you're talking inside linebacker you know the first person you go to is dear I mean and as long as deer's been here and he understands our system um and he's been really good for pop you know in terms of being able to uh you know essentially translate our defense help him uh grow within because every time you change uh you know systems like you you you have to get adjusted you know and what you don't want uh you know is a is a really good player that is playing slow because he's thinking you know we've we've got to get to the point where um all the guys on defense that are playing you know they they sort of do it unconsciously uh so they can play fast and they just play ball like they know how so um you know to have deic there obviously uh Pop's shown what he can do uh in this league and in college football in general um so excited to see that excited to see uh a guy like David rer uh continue his progression I thought he got better uh each and every game uh throughout the year uh and was playing at a a really good level for us last year um you know I think he's got more command of the system this year um you've got guy like Alex Safari uh that can play inside now as well uh and outside so you know he knows how to play sort of in that field Apex but he also has a lot of skill set uh that fits that inside backer position uh so I feel good about that room I feel good that uh we've got you know solid old guys with a lot of lot of reps uh in college football and then you've got some young Talent uh that you know the future is bright in that room uh that are going to be able to learn from those guys you know fast long athletic uh guys and so uh which will also help on special teams what did you all like about Christian story and what are your expectations for yeah well I mean what do we like about Christian you you've got a guy that's long he's athletic uh he knows how to play the safety position he's played it in the SEC uh obviously you know uh playing in a system like Alabama uh you know that he knows how to adjust to a lot of different coverages checks run fits um so that's not going to be something that was going to overwhelm him and it hasn't um so he's been able to and personality wise he's come in and he fits with that room you know um again you talk about the inside backers on the previous question the safeties is another group that uh you just feel really good about you know in terms of having you know Zion shers Jordan love it Ty Bryant Christian story like you got four guys that are SEC safeties they've played and been really successful in SEC games um so again you it gives you the opportunity to be multiple um you know and what you do and it also allows you to absorb uh you know when when an injury occurs within a game or maybe it's a multiple game Deal you've got the ability to absorb that uh depth is always important and to be able to have uh the ability within a game to keep guys fresh so that you don't wor out through a game uh it's a huge Advantage for us coach Ty Bryant from fedick hospital has his progression really good yeah I mean when we saw it last year you know I and I I'll readily admit I thought Tai played at a level that I didn't anticipate Tai plane as a true freshman we knew he was a mature young man we knew he was conscientious we knew his work ethic all the things that we loved about him but to be able to step up uh in the moments that he stepped up in uh was huge and and and it's a testament to him it's a testament to his work ethic he's taken another step you know this spring I think there's a confidence and command in his game um he's bigger he's stronger uh he's still really fast so uh a guy that we're really really excited about Mark mentioned play more sticky coverage quarterback just how do you feel about that group entering the season with obviously back s away yeah you know what I mean obviously uh you know there are things that we have to do to to continue to uh improve on defense continue to uh adapt you know sort of in the in the changing environment and you know being able to to play some manto man be able to get sticky you know on those outside edges um obviously uh I think Max has put himself he's had a really good offseason put himself in good position uh and I think we've got good competition opposite um but it's early in Camp right now obviously so uh a lot to lot to be seen uh what I'm looking for is guys to be consistent the nice thing is we have a lot of bodies uh that don't have to take all of the workload we can distribute it across uh you know with guys like Jansen Dunn and JQ Hardaway and nir Addison and DJ Waller like you just think and then you throw in true freshman uh in there that have that have done really some good things throughout Summer and the first two days of practice so um it's going to be a really really good competitive uh room and uh really excited to kind of see how it all shakes out cuz I that's the one position I don't know there were times last year the second doing their job right but the front not getting enough pressure on the quarterback the sack numbers were low at times so with the unit that's going to be probably as good as anyone in the SEC in pass coverage how important is that knowing if you get more pressure on the quarterback it could certainly bring your defense to another level yeah you know it's it we talk about it since I've been here they all tie together right and um it it's fun there were times last year that we we would get sort of plenty of pressure we would miss a sack um you know that the South Carolina game jumps to to mind and we got we had two opportunities on the very first drive to get off the field on third down one we lost leverage in in coverage something that we shouldn't have done it should have been off the field we were walking into a sack uh and then two we had a Miss sack which then led to a big third down conversion so there were breakdowns on on all sides last year at times and that's why it's so important that they work together obviously really excited about the front that we return because um like anything else I I think people interceptions turnovers sacks a lot of times they come in bunches they don't it's just not always super consistent um but if you from a purely statistics and that is what it is like this was the defensive line and what they did last year was the second most sack since I've been here the only behind the Josh Allen year and it was the most tackles for loss that we had since I've been here so like they were disruptive UPF front obviously when we return all those guys this year you need to keep that production going up front um you know and then you you mix in uh you know being able to play sticky you know in stick your in coverage at times being able to make some plays uh on the back end and then when you have a chance to be at the quarterback uh you've got to be able to finish you know you got two kids in there silver and Walker and yeah we've got silver we've got Walker we've got oxendine we've got Ripka like I think obviously I think everybody in this room understands the impact that Dion has on a football game I think people don't necessarily realize how well guys like kesan Sila how well Trey Ripa played last year how well uh Ox played the jump from two years ago for ox to last year and then this year his weights back up to where it was when he was uh you know before the injury and as as powerful as ever um you know you have khil Saunders who makes plays you know big plays for us and he's big and athletic and I mean this is as good of a cumulative front you know as we've had and then you throw in young guys and you throw in a guy like uh you know Gerard Smith in there and Kendrick Gilbert coming back off of uh injury you know from last year where he was sort of uh you know one he was a freshman too coming off a shoulder you know he's stronger you he's already you know made some flashes in some of these early practices so you've got depth there you can roll those guys you can keep them fresh um so yeah that's exciting and then obviously you know the position we haven't talked about is that you know that outside linebacker position and you know to be able to return JJ who uh you know there are times that he can just dominate a game and he can take over he understands that this is the year that he needs to do that consistently it can't be just be one or two games we need that consist distant uh Force presence from him um and then we'll see you know who can uh who can Rush opposite him folks we got I'm sorry we've got to uh cut off get to our next uh part thank you thank you if everybody just hang tight for one sec so the weather has turned on us it's a beautiful sunny day so we have moved everything back inside