Football news, notes, video: Priester departs from program, Faulkner takes leave of absence

UK head football coach Joker Phillips announced Thursday that sophomore defensive back Jerrell Priester would be leaving the Cats just two weeks prior to their season opener against Western Kentucky. Priester played in nine games for UK in 2010, mostly on special teams. Against Charleston Southern, Priester made four tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also returned two kickoff for the Cats in 2010, averaging 27.5 yards per return.

Co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter also announced that freshman defensive back Glenn Faulkner is on a leave of absence from the team due to what Minter referred to as a “tragic death in the family.” It is not expected that Faulkner will miss the team’s 2011 opener on September 1.