With all of the incoming new faces, Will Stein made sure to prioritize one returning player in particular. That guy is Ty Bryant, who is not only ready to continue leading the secondary, but be an overall leader of the defense.
Last season, Bryant totaled 76 tackles and four interceptions, which ranked 24th nationally, on his way to earning All-SEC 2nd Team honors as a junior. Now, heading into his fourth year, he’s bound to take a leap in production after having a full year as a starter.
At SEC Media Days back in July, head coach Will Stein raved about the homegrown talent who is becoming one of the SEC’s best cornerbacks as he continues showing more of that team leadership.
“Another player from last year’s team I had to do everything I can to keep,” Stein said of Bryant. “He represents Kentucky football to the fullest. It is in his DNA. Natural leader. He’s almost like a coach on the field for us.”
Those leadership qualities are setting him up for a promising senior year. With a new defensive coordinator, Bryant is continuing to learn the ins-and-outs of how Jay Bateman likes his guys to operate.
“He has an aggressive style of defense,” Bryant said at SEC Media Days. “He’s a guy who is going to get after you and we’re going to send the blitz and be sticky on the back end.”
Bryant also talked about how Bateman isn’t changing him — He’s just allowing him to continue playing free and loose.
“He just allows me to roam around and make plays, no matter if that’s tackling or making plays on the football. And that’s what I like to do.”
Jay Bateman discussed how much of a priority it was to retain Ty Bryant once he joined the Kentucky football staff this winter.
How does Bryant want to use his experience and one of the few returning veterans on the team as he heads into his senior year?
“With us having this new culture, I want to show the guys how to do things the right way. Ultimately, I want them to pull the young guys, when I’m gone, pull the young guys, and it’s just a culture that continues to just build and build and build. People graduate, but tradition doesn’t.”
You can tune in to our player interviews from UK’s Media Day at the beginning of August where we spoke to Ty Bryant and many others!
After an All-SEC season, Bryant has plenty to continue building on as a veteran corner. The Lexington native knows exactly what it means to be a part of this beloved home state program that he’s watched his entire life. That “Kentucky” that reads across his chest is more than just a logo. It’s an identity.
If you enjoyed this story, follow us on social media for more Kentucky coverage, breaking news, and analysis delivered as it all unfolds. Over 150,000+ already do! We’re on Facebook, X/Twitter, TikTok, and more. Go Cats!
Leave a Reply