It’s not likely that Kentucky will have many true freshmen play significant roles this season barring numerous injuries with the returning talent the Wildcats have back .
However, one name just to file away is freshman Carrington Valentine of Cincinnati. He was one of the nation’s top 100 cornerbacks coming out of Moeller High School even though he didn’t move from receiver to cornerback until he was a junior.
The 6-3, 180-pound cornerback certainly has made an impression on Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White.
“So much when you come in as a freshman, especially on the edges, is you have got to have confidence in yourself and believe that I can compete with anybody out there,” White said. “Whether he can or not and whether he is ready from a fundamental standpoint, he competes.”
Wait. There’s more to like.
“He has internal fortitude, that junkyard dog mentality that he is going to keep coming,” White said. “Even if he gets beat, he is coming back.”
For a successful defensive back, that is a must. However, it’s rare. Valentine, who was also a basketball standout, has no fear and White loves that.
“A lot of times young corners are afraid to mix it up in the run game and he’s not (afraid),” White said. “He has come in with no fear, extremely coachable, loves ball, always watching film and soaking up information. That has put him with a chance to play as a true freshman.”
