# Sykes preaches short memory for UK defensive backs **Published:** 2026-08-25T18:43:56.000Z **Source:** [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/25/sykes-short-memory-key-for-defensive-backs/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/sykes-preaches-short-memory-for-uk-defensive-backs LEXINGTON, Ky. — Hasaan Sykes spoke to reporters following practice on Tuesday about the mental approach he believes will determine success for cornerbacks navigating the competitive Southeastern Conference. According to an [article from UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/25/sykes-short-memory-key-for-defensive-backs/), the transfer from Western Carolina emphasized the importance of moving past mistakes and victories with equal speed. "Short memory," Sykes said when asked what could make or break a cornerback. "Whether you do good or bad, you have to go to your next play and play that play at 100 percent." Sykes has emerged as a key piece of the cornerback room under [first-year head coach Will Stein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Stein) and defensive coordinator [Jay Bateman, who has described Sykes as "everything that's right in college football."](https://www.247sports.com/college/kentucky/article/kentucky-football-jay-bateman-hasaan-sykes-media-day-story-288756083/) The Georgia native joined the Wildcats through the transfer portal in January after spending two years at Western Carolina, where he posted three career interceptions and five pass breakups. The transition to play in [Kroger Field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger_Field) has impressed Sykes, who expressed amazement at the scale of the program. "Every time we go into Kroger Field, I look around and I'm just amazed at the size of everything," he said. Sykes has impressed during spring scrimmages and fall camp, recording interceptions in both spring sessions. His performance has continued into fall camp preparations for what shapes up as a crucial position group for a program beginning a new era. Beyond Sykes, the cornerback room includes other prospects poised for development this season. Sykes praised teammates Demarcus Gardner and Grant Grayton, noting their maturation and mental focus heading into the season. "They have just grown so much, as far as taking the playbook to the field," Sykes said of the position group overall. ## Sources - [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/25/sykes-short-memory-key-for-defensive-backs/) - [Jay Bateman describes Sykes as 'everything that's right in college football'](https://www.247sports.com/college/kentucky/article/kentucky-football-jay-bateman-hasaan-sykes-media-day-story-288756083/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from UK Athletics, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/25/sykes-short-memory-key-for-defensive-backs/.