UK Football: Freshman Lowery looks and learns as he adjust to college game

LEXINGTON — True freshman safety Ashley Lowery made a name for himself his high school senior season in Georgia when he picke dup a fumbled snap and hurdled a defender to score. The play became known as the “Lowery Leap” and was an internet hit with over a million views.
He’s trying to make a name for himself at Kentucky now. He’s played in all six games, primarily on special teams. Lowery, a four-year, two-way starter in high school, shared these insights after a recent practice:

Question: How do you feel your first season at Kentucky has gone?
Lowery: “I feel like everything has been going pretty good. Learning the new system and getting involved in everything and trying to convert from high school to college football. It has all been about what I expected coming in and learning a new system and getting used to the speed of the game and how fast everything was and up tempo.”

Question: What has been the hardest adjustment?
Lowery: “The hardest thing is getting real familiar with the playbook to where you knew like everything that was going on and it would click. Being able to get on the field with the crowd noise and everything and make the right checks and reads out there has been hard, too.”

Question: Did you expect to play more or less than you have?
Lowery: “I didn’t expect to be playing as much as what I¿have. Any playing time is good. I am just trying to get on the right track and start winning.”

Question: Is there any particular player who has really helped you?
Lowery: “If I am out, I watch the front (starting) safeties, Mikey Benton and Martavius Neloms. I¿just watch and see what I can learn from what they do to make myself better.”

Question: What does coach Steve Brown tell you that you need to improve on the most?
Lowery: “Just watching your assignment and knowing what to do as they come to the line and carrying out the assignment.”

Question: What has playing in the Southeastern Conference been like?
Lowery: “It has been what I¿thought. We just have to work harder and try to relate to the speed as much as we can and we will be fine.”

Question: Is there one Kentucky player you like to watch play defense?
Lowery: “Danny Trevathan and Winston Guy. They fly around and know their assignments. They are both great playmakers.”

Question: Is that the kind of player you can eventually be?
Lowery: “I hope so. That is what I¿would like to be able to do. I¿can bring leadership, discipline to the field and be one of the hardest workers you will ever meet. I can fly around and work hard to try and win. I¿do like to hit, too.”

Question: Has the season been frustrating?
Lowery: “We are off to a shaky start, but we have games to get this on the right track. We are fine. I¿am not frustrated at all. I know we can do better.”