Senior safety Ty Bryant is even faster than new UK defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was expecting. (Vicky Graff Photo)
One of the first priorities that Jay Bateman had when he was hired as Kentucky’s defensive coordinator was to make sure safety Ty Bryant stayed at UK for his final season. He was one of the first players Bateman reached out to as soon as he arrived in Lexington.
He has started 25 games the previous three years and played in 37 games. He had a team-high 76 tackles in 2025 along with leading the SEC with four interceptions.
“Obviously he’s a really good player. I had done my research,” Bateman said. “I knew the kind of person he was. He is a young man whose dad (Cisco) played at Kentucky, who’s from Lexington, and who’s got the kind of leadership and personality you want. I mean that was my number one. I had to get that guy to stay.”
Bateman also knew what interest other schools had in Bryant.
“I think every school in the country was trying to get that guy and I just told him this is why I think you should stay,” Bateman. “I told him these are some of the guys I’ve coached that have had success. And I think ultimately Ty wanted to stay. I think Ty loves this place, and when somebody wants to do something it’s a little bit easier to get it done right. But man, what an impressive family.”
As good as Bateman thought Bryant was when he got the job, he’s now decided he might be even better.
“I’ve been really impressed by him as a kid. He’s faster than I thought he was. He’s a dynamite player. I’m really glad it worked out for us to keep him here,” Bateman said.
3 Responses
Amen Coach! Glad Ty stayed put.
We are elite at safety, defensive line, offensive line, tight end, running back. QB (Minchey I think he will be the best QB we've had since Levis) WR (Linebacker and Receiver are the only two positions that I will have to see what we have). Once Gilmore came back alot of my worries went out the window. We were one starter away from having a good receiver room and now he filled that area of concern. With Gilmore you know what you have. He is super athletic. He's been young and has gotten alot of undeserved criticism. He's been 17 and 18 years old as a freshman and sophomore. He's still young as a junior. His junior year is like most players freshman year age wise. I think he will have a breakout year this year. Anderson, Carr, Gilmore, and Miller will be our starter and backups at the X and Y receiver position. Then you have Darby, Coffman, Gray, Cozart, and Disney who could all crack the rotation. Linebacker I like the room. We have more talent in the linebacker room then we might have ever had. Offensive line and running back we are super elite. Barnes, Baxter, and Patterson will be a 3 headed monster. I think Patterson will surprise alot of people. He got snaps as a true freshman and redshirt freshman last year. He will be a sophomore this year and I think he might end up getting the second most carries on the team if he can stay healthy all year. The reason I say the second most is because usually one back in your room gets Injured and I think during the injury he plays so great that Stein can't afford to not play him. He's a complete back who's fast and has power he too has just been young. Rodriguez could lead the team in receptions and Anderson or Gilmore could lead the team in yards.
Can we get some more football coverage? I would love a interview with Patterson(RB) or Gilmore(WR) on defense I would love a interview with Gadson (DL) or Godfrey(LB). All the guys who have been here for 2-3 years and haven't transferred need the spotlight a little.
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