By Larry Vaught

Jon Sumrall might be from Huntsville, Ala., but never doubt where the new University of Kentucky inside linebackers coach calls home when it comes to football.

“Being back here is special because it is my football home. I may be from Alabama but UK is my college football home,” said Sumrall, a starter at linebacker for UK from 2002-2004. “It means a lot to me to be here. I think wherever you are is the most important place in the world because it is the place you are at but I think having the opportunity to be here means a lot.

“Things happen for a reason,” he said. “Lot of twists and turns in regards to where you go but I am very happy to be here.”

Sumrall got his first SEC job in 2018 when he was named linebackers coach at Ole Miss after coaching at Troy from 2015-17. When defensive coordinator Matt House left UK to join the Kansas City Chiefs, UK coach Mark Stoops promoted outside linebackers coach Brad White to defensive coordinator and hired Sumrall as inside linebackers coach. Sumrall has also been defensive coordinator at San Diego State for two years and co-defensive coordinator at Tulane before going to Troy where he was assistant head coach.

He’s heard from a lot of former UK teammates since his return to Lexington. He says his phone did not stop “buzzing” after news broke he was joining Stoops’ staff.

“I don’t know how many games they all go to but a lot of my former teammates have reached out saying they will be at this game or that game,” he said. “I say, ‘That’s great but I will be working. I won’t be hanging out with you.’ But a lot of them told me how fired up they are I am back and that means a lot.

“The guys I played with would tell you that my talent level was not necessarily very special but my commitment to our team was always there and I have always been passionate about this place.”

Former teammates nicknamed him  ‘Drill Sergeant’ because of his no-nonsense on the field. Sumrall wants players playing for him who love football like he does. His belief is that unless a player is “uber talented” he won’t succeed unless he loves the sport.

“You try to create an environment that is contagious, high energy and fun every day and is detailed. You set high expectations and standards but at end of day guys have got to know you care about them for more than just football, too,” Sumrall said.

Returning linebacker Kash Daniel figures to be UK’s emotional leader on defense much like Sumrall was when he played. The two could also be soul mates because of their passion for football and how the game should be played.

“He is a lot better and bigger player than me. I was kind of a runt. Kash is a guy that is fun to be around. I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to coach him. He’s a guy that loves football. Every day he walks into the meeting room and has tremendous questions. He thinks about the game and is hungry to always learn,” Sumrall said.

“One of the most fun things for me this spring was I would be installing a defense and Kash would be scribbling down notes like it was the first time he ever heard it. That tells you a lot about how detailed he is and how much he loves the game. His leadership, energy and emotion are special and unique. If you cut him open, blue and white comes out. He’s a guy that I am just thrilled to have the opportunity to coach and be around.”

While Daniel is the preseason headline maker, Sumrall says he has other good players including sophomores Chris Oats and DeAndre Square. He says both are “football intelligent” and both ask and answer questions in the meeting room.

“The future is bright for both of them. They just have to stay hungry and have a little bit of a chip on their shoulders about getting better every day and not wasting a rep. They can be quality, quality players,” Sumrall said. “Square is really good in the last six inches of contact. He is not a very big guy but he does a really good job on contact of being sudden. He has a great burst and can be violent on contact. Oats’ length and size creates issues for people whether in the pass game in the throwing lanes or in the run game where he keeps blockers at bay.

“Both are instinctive and that’s one of best attributes you have to have to be a good inside linebacker. It is not always about sure measureables but is about instructs and awareness and both of them have that. I am really fired up to see where they go with their game and what they do. I think both guys have chance to do some really good things.”

He has others, including sophomore Jamin Davis, he likes and believes will help the program continue to grow.

“I do have high standard and do expect guys ready to go every day,” Sumrall said.  “At practice I probably do burn more calories than a lot of guys wearing pads because I run around and I am vocal. You have to have energy, enthusiasm and passion for what you do, and I have that and want my guys to have that.”