Football Wildcats update the defense ahead of Week 1

The Kentucky Wildcats are just over a week away from their season and home football opener against Central Michigan.

After Thursday’s practice, defensive coordinator Matt House, cornerback Lonnie Johnson and safety Mike Edwards gave their insight on the upcoming season and how they’ve prepared through fall training camp.

House, approaching his second year as the defensive coordinator, said getting back senior linebacker Jordan Jones immediately gives his defense fresh legs.

House also indicated his defense is getting healthy at the right time, saying the Wildcats can go five deep at the inside linebacker position.

Getting to the secondary, Johnson gave insight to how he improved this offseason heading into his final year with the Wildcats.

“My mind,” Johnson said. “If you get better in the playbook, you get better on the field,” he said.

When asked if he modeled his game after any NFL cornerbacks, Johnson pointed out All-Pro defensive backs Jalen Ramsey of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals.

His teammate, Mike Edwards, has received nation-wide attention as a highly versatile defensive back. Along with Edwards, Wildcats Benny Snell, CJ Conrad and Josh Allen have also received national hype.

Edwards said he & his teammates talk about how good they can be as far as being All-SEC and All-American. With high expectations for this season, he also said that he remains focused on leading his team in his final year with the team.

Allen, Edwards and Snell were named to the SEC First team on Thursday, while Conrad and Lynn Bowden were named to the SEC Third team.

With the season opener around the corner, look for Kentucky to come out of the gate strong as they’re loaded with veterans and a hungry team poised for success.