Bryant Brings 'Presence' to Kentucky Defense, Special Teams

Kentucky junior safety Ty Bryant has played in all 25 games during his first two seasons in Lexington. This season, the Frederick Douglass High School product is expected to take on an even bigger role.

Bryant, who was sixth on the team last year with 30 tackles, will be one of the main cogs in an experienced UK secondary this season. Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White talked about Bryant following Wednesday’s practice.

“There’s a presence about Ty, sort of an aura of confidence that I think everybody on the field, from coaches to players (can see),” White said. “When Ty’s out there, you could look and you see him and you say ‘that guy knows what he’s going to do.’ He’s going to do it, 100 miles an hour, he’s going to be physical, he’s going to be fast, he’s going to be smart.”

White has seen a lot of good defensive players over the years and he puts Bryant into that category.

“Just like some of those special veteran players that we’ve had in the past,” White said. “That’s the presence he carries right now.”

As for Bryant, he knows that the work he does ahead of game day make him a better player.

“Really, just my preparation,” Bryant said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot from last year to this year. I just feel like my preparation is giving me that edge, giving me that confidence to go out there and do it. And I’ve learned mostly every spot on the defense. I feel like that’s what helps me play fast and play with more confidence.”

Bryant has also been named UK’s punt returner for the season opener. It’s something he did while playing at Douglass.

“I’ve got a background in it, dating back to high school,” Bryant said. “I just feel like it’s a natural thing for me, just to go back there, judge and catch it.”

Bryant emphasized that catching the ball was his first job in that role. After he does that, he hopes he can make something special happen.

“It’s a great feeling, honestly,” Bryant said. “I just want to go and hopefully I catch the ball, maybe make a guy miss and go score.”

White believes that Bryant’s past as a baseball player can also help him in the punt returner role.

“Ty’s always had good ball skills and he was, even in high school, being a baseball player and being able to track balls,” White said. “Being a punt returner, it’s about being able to track a football and he does that so naturally. He’s a tough kid and you can’t be squirmish back there when you’ve got a bunch of guys running (at you) full speed and you have to take your eyes off of them and look up and make sure you secure the ball.”

Bryant’s role will increase again this season, and he believes that his preparation will help him excel both on defense and special teams.