by LARRY VAUGHT
Bryant started all 12 games in 2025 and the junior earned all-Southeastern Conference second team honors after leading the team with 76 tackles. He also led the team — and the SEC — in interceptions with four which ranked 24 nationally. Bryant had 10 tackles against Ole Miss and two interceptions in the first quarter. He was the first UK player with two interceptions in a SEC home game since Anthony Wajda against LSU in 1999.
Keeping Bryant was a priority for new UK coach Will Stein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. Bryant wants to justify their belief in him with an even better senior year.
“I’ve been working on everything. It’s a new defense from top to bottom, so I’m working on my leadership skills. Obviously, I’m working on being a better player on defense, and I’m just working on the things that I can’t get too good at because my goal, my dream, my aspiration, is to get to the next level,” Bryant said.
“I am just trying to continue to clean up my tackling, my angles, being a coach on the field, helping guys get lined up right , and being a communicator.”
He understands at times he has looked for the ball too much and is trying to learn to make sure he is in the right spot knowing the ball will come that way.
“Just get the ball out of the air, or bat the ball down to the ground. That’s all I have to do,” he said. “I have also gotta do a better job of creating fumbles this year, and fumble recovery. So that’s my emphasis this year and ways I can do more to help the team.”
