Kentucky Football: National Signing Day Previewing the Defensive Back Signees

A big point of emphasis for Mark Stoops and his defense is the defensive backfield. Kentucky had no depth at the position last season and was routinely manhandled and burned by the big, physical wide receivers of the SEC. Injuries and fatigue were an ongoing problem as the season went on, although there was promising play from Nate Willis, Daron and Zack Blaylock, and most notably Jaleel Hytchye.

Stoops is addressing the DB position with a vengeance. He is signing a number of top notch players. Mike Edwards and Darius West are a pair of safetys out of Ohio who were both highly ranked and wanted by multiple BCS caliber programs. Edwards clocks in at 5' 11", 180 pounds and West is 6' 0" and 195 pounds. Big, physical corners are what are needed in the SEC.

Joining them in the secondary is Florida native and Florida State, Alabama, and Georgia recruit Kendall Randolph. Randolph is a 5' 11", 170 pound corner back.

Jared Tucker is another big safety out of Joker Phillips old recruiting stomping grounds in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Tucker is 5' 11", 175 pounds with an offer sheet that boasts Florida, Ohio State and Miami (Fl).

A.J. Stamps provides immediate help at the corner back position. He is a JUCO All American and at 6' 0", 190 pounds, is a welcome addition indeed. Stoops wooed him away from Ohio State, where the experts thought he was for sure to sign.

Notice the recruiting coups in Ohio and Florida? That is not an accident.