White, Hamdan Optimistic as 2025 Camp Begins

Kentucky football defensive coordinator Brad White and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan spoke on Friday at UK’s annual football media day.

White, who is in his seventh season directing the UK defense, said that his unit had a rough second half of the 2024 season, and it’s something they look to improve on this year.

“Down the stretch, the last six (games), was unacceptable,” White said. “What I am concerned about is that we eliminate the big plays that we gave up last year. Until we go out on the field and we prove that we can get back to where we were, that will be sort of lingering.”

White does like his 2025 group and thinks they have the right mindset.

“I think this group is wired right,” White said. “I think there’s depth across the defense. I think it gives us the chance to withstand the natural attrition that happens within a football season.”

White knows that, as the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

“You really don’t know what you have until you hit the middle of the season,” he said. “That’s the reality of it because that’s when attrition happens. That’s when bad things in the season and the roller coaster starts to happen. And now you figure out how mentally and physically and emotionally tough you are. And we were not that enough last year, mid-season. We were able to plug holes and cracks that had showed up early in the season but they’re going to get exposed as the season goes along. So, the idea is to limit or eliminate those cracks early so they don’t show up late.”

On offense, Hamdan is back for a second season coordinating the UK attack. What’s not back are a number of key offensive contributors from last season.

“We certainly still have to address the fact that out of our 57 players, 30 of them are new,” Hamdan said. “So, it’s a good challenge, a good blend.”

The Cats will have a new quarterback this fall, presumably Zach Calzada, the transfer from Incarnate Word. Hamdan likes where Calzada is at this point.

“Zach, there’s a guy with a lot of experience,” Hamdan said. “Zach’s taking about 75 percent of those ‘ones’ reps

Kendrick Law, a transfer from Alabama, figures to be one of UK’s standouts at wide receiver in 2025. Hamdan likes Law’s experience.

“I think there’s a physicality piece with him, an explosive piece,” Hamdan said.  “We think he’s got a chance with the ball in his hands to act like a running back when he’s running it and a receiver when he’s catching it. He’ll certainly be a guy we need to get the ball to.”

At running back, Hamdan has been impressed with transfers Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan.

“I think it will start with these two big backs we brought in,” Hamdan said. “Certainly, from a physicality standpoint, I think you’ll see they’re big, thick, strong backs.”

Any good offense starts with a good offensive line, and Hamdan likes the group that UK has assembled.

“I think all five of those guys are very focused, very driven, they know what’s on the line,” Hamdan said. “And from a leadership standpoint, we will go with them.”

White and Hamdan are excited and optimistic about their units with fall camp officially underway.