Kentucky football’s new era under head coach Will Stein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman is already making waves - and not just in the transfer portal or recruiting trail. One of their biggest early wins? Keeping senior safety Ty Bryant in Lexington for his final season.
In today’s college football landscape, where NIL deals and the transfer portal have reshaped the way players make decisions, retaining a key veteran like Bryant isn’t just about loyalty - it’s about culture, trust, and vision. And according to Bryant’s father, Cisco - a former Wildcat himself - that’s exactly what Stein and Bateman brought to the table.
“Getting recruited out of high school was one thing,” Cisco said. “But now, with NIL and the portal, it’s a whole different ballgame.”
He noted that the level of interest in Ty from other programs was eye-opening, with several teams reaching out to his agent. But in the end, it wasn’t just about the offers.
It was about connection - and consistency.
Enter Jay Bateman.
From the start, Bateman made it clear: Kentucky wanted Ty Bryant. Not as a backup plan.
Not as a maybe. As a cornerstone of the defense.
And he didn’t sugarcoat it.
“The biggest thing about Bateman was that he was truthful,” Cisco said. “He never once said, ‘If you go somewhere else, we’ll understand.’
It was always, ‘We want you here.’ That kind of honesty stood out.
It just doesn’t happen often in this day and age.”
That approach resonated with both father and son, especially in a time when recruiting pitches can feel more like sales presentations than genuine conversations. Bateman’s sincerity - and his football résumé - carried weight.
And it wasn’t just about Ty. The staff’s ability to bring in talent like Jordan Castell, a former four-star safety and freshman All-American at Florida, only reinforced their vision.
Castell, who had offers from some of the biggest names in college football - Alabama, Michigan, Texas A&M, and more - had 54 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games last season. He’s not just a depth piece; he’s a game-changer.
Bateman, who coached at Florida during Castell’s early days, clearly played a role in bringing him to Kentucky. And for Cisco Bryant, that move signaled something bigger.
“I saw he was coming and that put a smile on my face,” he said. “I watched him for three years when we played against them. He’s a big deal.”
Of course, Ty’s decision to stay wasn’t without emotion. He had a deep bond with former UK defensive coordinator Brad White, who’s now on staff at Florida under Jon Sumrall.
The two shared more than just football - they shared faith. Bible studies, church, and a strong mentor-mentee relationship helped shape Ty’s college experience.
“Him and Coach White did Bible study together all the time,” Cisco said. “They spent a lot of time reading the Bible and going to church.
He was a big mentor in Ty’s life. Their personalities just meshed.”
But even with White’s departure, there’s a sense of continuity - thanks to Stein’s leadership. According to Cisco, Stein hasn’t let up on communication, even after Ty committed and signed. That kind of engagement matters, especially to a family that values relationships as much as results.
“The good thing is that Will communicates a lot,” Cisco said. “Out of the blue, Ty will get a call from him. Even after Ty’s commitment and signing, Will still communicated with him, and I like that.”
In a sport where rosters turn over quickly and loyalty can be fleeting, Kentucky’s ability to keep a homegrown talent like Ty Bryant says a lot about the foundation Stein and Bateman are building. They’re not just assembling a team - they’re cultivating a culture. And if early moves like this are any indication, the Wildcats are setting themselves up for something bigger than just another season.