Looking to get faster on the defensive side of the ball, Kentucky head coach Joker Phillips has decided to move junior Matt Lentz from the secondary to linebacker.
Lentz has played 25 games at free safety and strong safety the last two seasons, including six starting assignments. He has totaled 46 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
“We need to get faster on defense and this move will make us faster,” Phillips said in quotes sent out by the school. “Anytime you move a player closer to the ball, such as safety to linebacker or a linebacker to the defensive line, it helps you get faster.
“Matt gives us a guy at linebacker who will be strong and physical. He flies around and hits people. He reminds me of Jeff Snedegar (UK linebacker from 1996-99 who was known for his toughness), but Matt is probably a better athlete. Same type of attitude (as Snedegar).”
Last season, Kentucky was 43rd in the nation (5th in the SEC) in scoring defense at 22.7 points per game, but was an atrocious 100th (out of 120 schools) in run defense at nearly 183 yards per game.
