MychalBailey

Sat out much of the spring in order to concentrate on his studies … The starting free safety last season, he hopes to reclaim his regular role in August … A linebacker during his high-school and junior-college careers, he made a quick adjustment to the defensive backfield after arriving in August, 2010 … Has upside for significant improvement now that he has a year’s experience in the secondary … Also contributes in kick coverage … Hasgood speed.

2010 (Junior): Played in all 13 games, including 12 starts … Fourth on the team with 58 tackles, including one tackle for loss … Opened his UK career with a bang, grabbing an interception in the season-opening win at Louisville … Made his second interception of the year against Tennessee, making a great play in UT’s endzone that possibly saved a touchdown … Had a season high in stops in back-to-back games, making eight tackles at Ole Miss, followed by nine vs. Auburn … Led or was tied for the team lead in tackles vs. Florida and WKU with six.

Junior College: Originally signed with Kentucky in Feb. 2007, he joined the Wildcats from Southwest Mississippi Community College … Second-team All- America during his sophomore season, also first-team all-state and all-region … Two-year totals include 161 tackles, two fumbles caused, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, three interceptions, 7.5 quarterback sacks and four tackles for loss … Played linebacker at SW Mississippi … Having been timed as fast as 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, should have no trouble making the physical adjustment to the UK secondary … His speed also is reflected in the fact that he returned kickoffs in junior college, including an 84-yard return for a touchdown … Coached by Charles Anthony … “Mychal was, by far, our best player,” Anthony said. “He was our fastest and most explosive player. He has outstanding intensity, competitiveness and work ethic.”

High School: First-team all-state as a high-school senior as selected by the Georgia coaches association and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Played linebacker on defense and also saw action as a wingback on offense … Fouryear letterman and two-year starter for LaGrange (Ga.) High School … Continues the tradition of Grangers at UK, joining current Wildcats Randall Burden, Qua Huzzie, Tristian Johnson, Joe Mansour and Pat Simmons … Totaled 118 tackles as a senior, 19 tackles for loss, including 11 quarterback sacks, two caused fumbles and three fumble recoveries … Also returned eight kickoffs for a sparkling 44.4-yard average, including two runbacks for touchdowns … Won the “Golden Helmet Award” as his team’s most valuable player his senior year … Part of the LaGrange juggernaut that won two state championships during his four years on the varsity and lost to the eventual state champ the other two seasons … Coached by Steve Pardue … “Mychal is a game-changer on offense, defense or special teams,” Pardue said. “He has tremendous speed and big-play ability.” … Joined the track team his junior and senior years … Competed in the long jump, triple jump, 100- and 200-meter dashes and two relays … Won the regional in the long jump and was second in the triple jump as a junior.

Personal: Born in Valley, Ala. … Son of Willie R. Bailey and Marguerite Bailey … Name is pronounced the same as “Michael” … A cousin of Braxton Kelley, former UK linebacker who is now with the Denver Broncos … Considering a major in hospitality management and tourism.