UK Staff Asking Cats to 'Embrace' Fall Camp
Fall camp for college football teams is generally a tough grind. Long days of practice in the summer heat can wear on players, especially once they are in full pads.
The Kentucky coaching staff is well aware of how tough the process can be. Rather than not addressing it, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said that the UK coaches are taking a different approach.
“I think that’s always the challenge. We’re asking them to really embrace the suffering because you need to,” Hamdan said. “I think as it gets hot out here, as we stack days, as the bodies get worn down, it’s no different than what it’s going to feel like in the middle of the season. I think it’s a daily mental battle. Guys are pushing through and we’re happy where they’re at.”
Hamdan likes how this group is embracing the grind of fall camp. He first saw the willingness to do the tough things during the summer.
“It’s been a pretty professional group,” Hamdan said. “Maybe in this day and age of college football, I think players realize what they have on the line. I felt that this summer, it was a very professional approach through workouts and I think, naturally, you put pads on 18 to 22 year olds and that’s why they love the game. There’s been good energy, (we) just have to continue to build that kind of physicality when you’re tired.”
Hamdan singled out a few players who have stood out so far during the fall, including offensive lineman Jalen Farmer. What has Hamdan seen in him?
“Growth. I think he’s a player that, when he first got here, potentially didn’t value what it took off the field to put himself in the best position on the field from a nutrition standpoint, a weight room standpoint, a recovery standpoint,” Hamdan said. “He’s not extremely loud (but) he gets a lot of respect for how he works. His maturity over the last year has been about him realizing the things off the field matter just as much as the things on the field.”
Hamdan also touched on Jager Burton, who has been playing center and is working hard to improve at that position.
“Obviously, one of the hardest positions in football,” Hamdan said. “There’s a lot going on. From having to line up and make calls and identifying fronts, then the execution piece. He’s another guy who has all the athleticism to be a really good player at the center position through repetition, he’s just got to continue to improve.”
Another player who is fighting through the tough times in camp is wide receiver Hardley Gilmore. Hamdan wants to see consistency from the talented Gilmore.
“He’s doing well. It’s the day-to-day, feel the wear and tear on your body and your legs and the amount of running and pushing through it,” Hamdan said. “Certainly, we need him day-to-day to be as consistent as he can be.”
The tough grind of fall camp will continue, and the UK coaching staff is asking the Cats to embrace the challenge.
