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"I know when we came back from the bowl game, I looked down in the weight room in early January and he was in there working out," Smart said. "I thought, Wow. That's a little out of character for him to be in there by himself when there's not a group down there, and he's really working hard. He's kind of bought into that. He wants to be a good player."

Kirkpatrick was a first-year starter in 2010 at cornerback, and is relishing the opportunity to return this season with the game experience he was lacking a year ago.

"I feel like I've matured a little bit. Coach stayed on me, talked to me about being more consistent," Kirkpatrick said. "My goal is to make like every practice like it's my first practice, like I'm trying to give a first impression on every down I'm out there."

The Gadsden City native made 53 tackles last season and tied for second on the team in interceptions with three. One of those clinched a crucial road win at Arkansas, a play Kirkpatrick called the most memorable he made all season.