On feeling confidence in the defense … 

“I feel more confident in our secondary. We have very skilled players and I think we have a lot of talent at the other positions. I think we have a chance to be good at the other positions, too. Training camp is going to determine how well we play and how well we develop.”

On sensing a different type of confidence in Coach Stoops … 

“I think Coach Stoops has had a plan in place since we have been here. We feel like the pieces are falling into place and I think that he is confident. I will tell you there hasn’t been many times when I have been around him that he wasn’t confident, so I do sense a confidence in him and I think that it will transfer into training camp and into the season.”

On improving on sacks and the defensive line this year …

“It’s important ultimately to keep them out of the end zone and how you do it is going to be different ways. Your skill set is going to be different on where your talent is and who your best players are at each position. We’re going to emphasize on improving on our pass rush and techniques. We’re going to continue to harp on that throughout training camp.”

On starting off the season against Southern Miss and Shannon Dawson being the offensive coordinator … 

“It hasn’t been a distraction. As much as it is an advantage, it can be a disadvantage. I’m comfortable in what he does, but also he is comfortable in what I do.”

On Jacob Hyde being a factor at the nose guard position …

“I don’t know. He had a good spring, he’s working with the twos right now. We have 29 practices this training camp. There’s still a lot to be determined. I think that Jacob has the right attitude. Jacob has the character that we’re looking for. Jacob has the work ethic. Jacob has all of the intangibles, I have been very impressed with what type of person he is and the effort that he has put in. However, where his role is, it is too early to tell.”

On Jordan Bonner’s ability to adapt … 

“I have gotten to meet with Jordan. Sometimes with junior college players they’re a little bit ahead of high school players and the fact that they have already played college football. He has already played two years of college football just at the junior college level. I think that the position that he is at is going to fit him well because that is where he played in JUCO. He’ll be a little bit further along in technique, we just have to catch him up on some of the assignments.” 

On his perspective of how Coach Stoops has built this program…

“Just because we left together at Florida State, we were so close that everything that he did here at Kentucky, I was following. So, just looking at where they were then, and where they are now, and I’m a part of it now, I think they’ve done a fantastic job. I’ve said that many times and I think they’ve changed where they’re at and where they’re going.” 

On Drew Barker being a leader…

“I don’t need a cheerleader. I just need somebody that when he talks, people listen. He can do that in practice without being a cheerleader. My point was that from Sunday through Friday, is to stress our offense as much as we can, so on Saturday it’s easier. They’re going to see somebody that doesn’t get too high or too low. I’ve got to figure out how to get him in rhythm when he’s not in rhythm. I’ve got to spend my time doing that, not being a cheerleader. That’s how I’ve done it and it’s worked well. It might not be Drew, in that shape or form, it might be [Jon] Toth or it might be Jojo [Kemp]. And that’s what we’re finding right now in the next 29 days. That’s very important. We’ve gotten those leaders, we’ve spearheaded them and now we’re going to see what they can do with it.”

On the message to Stanley “Boom” Williams while dealing with personal matters…

“I think the biggest thing is to get through this camp healthy and to learn it because he didn’t get 15 practices. So he’s got to make sure that he understands and can protect our quarterback when need be and that he can understand the run game. And he’s kept up with it. He just needs to be healthy and get through this. He’s going to lean on his teammates and his family right now. That’s a tough deal that he went through and you can’t even imagine it unless it happens to you. So he’s going through a lot, but what we’ve talked about was that you have to move on and he’s done that. He’s been unbelievable and hopefully we can help him through that and he can stay healthy. ”

 

On the growth and status of the offense … 

“I thought at the beginning we were turning the ball over a bit too much. But then as I went back and charted the whole thing, it was really only the first three days. After that it really became pretty good and we took care of the ball. I was concerned about how we were going to recover when something doesn’t go well.  I came out of that first scrimmage and I was very disappointed. I wanted to see how they responded and I thought the next two practices they really got after it and competed. Those things were really good. I think the biggest thing is [figuring out] who are those guys on our offense that are going to lead. I just want to make sure that we have guys that don’t want to be popular and just want to win and do the things right that’ll help us get to the next level.”

 

On who the leadership guys may be…

“I think Jon Toth and Nick Haynes on the offensive line. You’ve got Greg Hart being an older tight end. Drew [Barker], Garrett Johnson, Jeff Badet. Those are just a couple off of the top of my head. I also think Jojo [Kemp]. We’ll see how that goes.  ”