Photo by Jacob Noger - UK Football
Safety Vito Tisdale is one Kentucky freshman that coaches and players have been talking about a lot during preseason practice and one freshman who may well play in the season opener at Auburn Sept. 26.
“People like being around Vito. He has a really good personality. His play is dynamic at time. There are a lot of things we need to clean up as far as technique and playing in the scheme of the defense. but he does things that are extremely natural,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said. “Things you can’t teach.”
Like what?
“He has a knack for being around the football,” White said. “He is a guy you could see down he line absolutely being one of our leaders. Right now his focus is where we want it to be on finding his place on this defense this year.
“We have been blessed with a lot of great leadership on this team. We are not going to put that on his plate. We have guys who have been in this system who have done a great job taking Vito under their wings. Our focus is to find a way to harness his ability and get him where we want him to go.”
Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph, a LSU transfer, has noticed a lot of what Tisdale has done as well.
“I have been seeing a lot of interceptions and plays being made,” Joseph said. “Just small things he needs to work on. I am going to get with him so he will be ready to play week one.”
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has been just as impressed with Tisdale’s versatility and ability to play different positions. He’s even compared Tisdale for former Wildcat Mike Edwards, who now plays in the NFL.
“Mike is one of my all-time favorite players. So instinctual and such a good player for us. Vito coming in as a true freshman and us moving him … we’re playing him at nickel, at medium, at the sam position, he’s playing strong safety and really is doing some good things. He’s not quite there yet,” Stoops said.
“A lot of guys you couldn’t even think about putting at all those positions. He is able to handle a lot and I really like his demeanor. It’s a lot like Mike. No nonsense and just goes and does his business.”
