"It's been great," Kirkland said. "I've really enjoyed going up against top competition. Great running backs and great offensive line out there. It's really fun playing on a great defense, especially playing behind Kahlil (McKenzie). He stops everything. He's pretty greedy. I can't wait to go to the next level and play with Kahlil and get that experience playing in the SEC."
"I'm a ball hawk," Kirkland said. "I get to the ball by any means necessary. I can run sideline to sideline. I feel like Saturday will be a running game, so that's what I've got to do, stop the run."