Vicky Graff Photo
If Mark Stoops talks about Ty Bryant, he almost always uses the same two words — solid and consistent.
The former Frederick Douglass High School standout has turned into a major playmaker for the Kentucky defense as a true freshman and was named Southeastern Conference Co-Freshman of the Week for his play in UK’s 24-3 win at Mississippi State.
Bryant had eight tackles in helping limit Mississippi State to 218 yards total offense. That followed a 12-tackle performance a week earlier when he got his first UK start against Tennessee.
“We could go back to last spring and sitting right in here and I think you could just hit repeat from what I said. Y’all (media members) can repeat what I said. He’s just been very solid, very consistent,” the Kentucky coach said Monday.
“He’s a young man, for a freshman, he goes about his business in a good way. I think even a lot of older guys can learn from that because he has the concentration. He’s really focused on what he needs to do.”
Stoops said Bryant, the 2022 Paul Hornung Award winner as the state’s top player, is not “perfect” and is still learning like most true freshmen would be. However, he continues not only to learn but also to get better.
“That’s one thing, you’ve got to be careful of. You don’t want to constantly put the cart before the horses, because you want to let people grow. But as far as his work ethic, his detail, and the way he goes about his business, he does a very good job,” Stoops said. “That translates to the field.
“Again not always perfect. That’s what makes me hesitant to get in here and brag or talk about freshmen sometimes because then everybody starts all hyping them up. Let the young men grow up the way they need to.”
Don’t worry about the hype bothering Bryant. It never has and never will. He’s too level-headed and team-oriented for that to happen. Stoops even admits that.
“To me, he’s just been a very mature young man. He comes in, he handles the business, he works hard, does his job,” Stoops said. “He’ll find his voice as a leader as he grows within our program.
“But right now, the first part of leadership is handling oneself and he does that in a great way.”
He’ll get a chance to continue doing that when UK hosts Alabama at noon.
