Lindley among nation’s best

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One name is always talked about when it comes to the UK secondary: Trevard Lindley.

A 2008 first team All-Southeastern Conference cornerback, Lindley is regarded by every major college football publication as one of the best, if not the best, cornerback in the country. In 2009, if the rest of the UK defensive backs can play well, the Cats will possess a very formidable secondary for opponents to go up against.

Junior cornerback Trevard Lindley defends a pass against South Carolina on Oct. 11 of last year. Lindley, a first team all-SEC performer, leads a UK secondary that is rich in depth, but not experience. Staff file photo

For UK defensive coordinator Steve Brown, coaching talented defensive backs has become somewhat of a normal routine. Safety Muhammad Abdullah was named second-team All-SEC for three consecutive years under Brown from 2003 to 2005. In 2006 safety Marcus McClinton was one of the country’s leaders in generating turnovers. There have been three UK defensive backs to receive Freshman All-SEC recognition. For Brown, the question of whether Lindley is the best cornerback he’s ever coached or not is an easy one.

“Oh he’s the best,” Brown said. “He not only can cover people and tackle but he has the ability of making great plays. It’s one thing to do your job. All coaches love players and employers love employees who do their job, but it’s guys that do things beyond the call of duty that make them special. Plus, he’s a great human being.”

In 2009 the Cats will rely on Lindley to be the staple of the secondary. While Lindley probably will not get thrown against as often as the rest of the defensive backs, UK secondary coach Chris Thurmond believes Lindley will still be able to make his usual impact on the game.

“In the game the quarterback’s not going to necessarily look out there and say, ‘OK Trevard’s over here we’re not going to go there,’” Thurmond said. “The quarterback’s going to go off his read sequence and those things so Trevard’s going to get his opportunities to make plays. Now when we’re in a man coverage situation they’re probably not going to directly challenge himbut he’ll still get his opportunities to make plays just like he did last year.”

There was plenty of competition at the other three spots in the secondary entering fall camp before the depth chart was released Monday. Across from Lindley, junior Paul Warford will start at the other cornerback spot. Moving to strong safety, senior Calvin Harrison played well in camp and got the job, and at free safety, sophomore Winston Guy stood out and got the job over fellow sophomore Matt Lentz, among others.

Senior Ashton Cobb, who started at safety last year before suffering some off-field issues, is currently in a position battle.  He and sophomore Taiedo Smith are fighting to back up Guy.
With inexperience in the secondary, Brown said the Cats are looking for the older guys to become leaders by example, a trait Lindley is “the epitome of,” Brown said.

“They know as a team we have to be real, real strong and it counts on a lot of people to play so you can’t just isolate yourself and say I’m going to take care of myself,” he said. “We have a great group of guys with a lot of charisma and character that are mentoring the young men.

“We’re trying to make it one family with Coach Brooks being the daddy. I’m just the uncle.”