Veteran Story Bolstering Kentucky Secondary

After playing at Alabama for four seasons, Kristian Story entered the transfer portal following the 2023 campaign and ended up choosing Kentucky. Now, with one season of college eligibility remaining, Story is hoping to have saved the best for last.

Naturally, there has been some transition between his time in Tuscaloosa and his time in Lexington. However, defensive coordinator Brad White believes that Story’s experience has made that process much smoother.

“It’s been a pretty easy transition for him. He’s got so banked reps now,” White said. “Early on, it’s like anything else, it’s translation. Like what I’m used to calling this is now this. We’ve sort of worked through that translation piece and, every day, just playing faster and faster. Getting more comfortable, communicating, knowing who I communicate with on certain calls.”

Story credits the Kentucky defensive coaches with bringing him up to speed so quickly.

“Everything is going well,” Story said. “The coaches on that side of the ball are doing a real good job making sure I’m understanding everything doing what it takes to go out there and make it happen.”

Specifically, Story has learned a lot from White during the spring.

“One thing I really like about Coach White, he’s a really good teacher,” Story said. “If I have any concerns about anything or any questions about defense, I can go to him and he’s going to explain it in a way that I can understand it, whether it’s showing it to me or going out on the field and working on it. He’s a really good teacher.”

Story has also leaned on some of his more experienced teammates to help him with his transition. When asked about which player in particular has helped him the most, Story did not hesitate.

“Probably Zion (Childress),” Story said. “I’ve learned the most from him. He seems like he has a pretty good grasp of it all. I just go to him if I have a question.”

White has seen steady improvement from Story as spring practice has moved forward.

“Every practice, he’s looked more comfortable and more natural back there,” White said. “Having veterans playing next to you help. It brings those guys along faster.”

Story believes that the UK secondary could be very strong for the 2024 season.

“We’ve got a lot of playmakers, people who can make plays on the ball, whether in the run game or the pass game,” Story said. “I feel like we’re going to make a lot of plays in the secondary. I’ve been very impressed because there’s a lot of talent in there. So, just being around guys who are talented and working toward a common goal has been fun.”

Story has spent time at both free safety and strong safety this fall. He’s willing to play either, as long as it gets him on the field.

“I don’t really have a preference, free or strong,” he said. “I just like being out there.”

The addition of a talented, experienced Story should make the UK defensive backfield stronger in 2024.