Corners have nowhere to go but up in 2014
April 2, 2014
By Matt Overing
The UK secondary has nowhere to go but up — literally.
Cornerbacks this season have one main goal: Don’t let 2013 happen again.
The Cats finished last in the SEC in interceptions, opposing quarterback completion percentage (65.8) and opposing quarterback rating (154.5).
“We are emphasizing (making plays),” said junior Nate Willis. “That’s what we want to do as a group.”
Head coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot implemented a new defensive scheme last year. Understanding that scheme is something Willis said has improved this season.
“The whole group has gotten better at knowing the scheme,” Willis said. “We’re all being more intelligent on the field.”
Willis, sophomores Fred Tiller and Cody Quinn, and freshmen J.D. Harmon and Jaleel Hytchye will also return.
Tiller is the only cornerback who played in all 12 games last year.
Stoops and Eliot have both been impressed by junior college commitment A.J. Stamps in the early days of spring practice.
“He did some good things that really caught our eye,” Eliot said.
Stamps said the challenge in transitioning from JUCO to the SEC is the playbook.
“It’s more detailed here,” Stamps said. “I feel like I’m fast and strong enough to hang in the SEC. Being smart on the field and knowing the playbook, that’s what has been a challenge.”
Stamps is one of five members of the 2014 class who will play in the secondary. He could be joined at corner by Kendall Randolph (Lincoln High School, Tallahassee, Fla.) and Darius West (Central Catholic High School, Lima, Ohio).
Both are 4-star recruits according to Rivals. Rivals lists West as a safety, while ESPN lists him as a cornerback.
Willis said his coaches want him to help lead the group in 2014.
“As a group, we’re all stepping up to lead each other, lead by example,” Willis said. “As a senior, (my coaches) want me to step up and take a leadership role.”
Stamps said that Willis, a player who came in last year as a JUCO recruit, has helped his transition from safety in JUCO to cornerback in the SEC.
“Nate, he’s a great guy,” Stamps said. “He’s given me some tips. The whole secondary has helped me out, going from safety to corner.”
An influx of talent will breed competition within the position, but Stoops said that competition is good at this stage.
“You have to have competition, you have to have depth,” Stoops said. “You can’t let anybody get comfortable out there. They need to feel the pressure and know if they don’t perform they’ll get replaced.”
Stamps echoed Willis and said he wants to score.
“Our first goal is to create turnovers, then we can focus on returning them for touchdowns,” Stamps said. “Who wouldn’t want to score a touchdown?”
