Importance of QBs

[UKani]

Louisville has an athletic freak at QB and scores 31 straight on UK and going to a bowl because of that athletic freak (more valuable than Bolin). WKU has a 5th year senior who is projected to be a 3rd or 4th round draft pick and they win 12 game. UK had Patrick Towles who struggled all season and UK is the 3rd best team in the state and had the 3rd best QB of the state schools and went 5-7 for the 2nd year in a row. This whole season wasn't on Towles, and I think we know that, so I hope it dont come across as me saying that. Im just pointing out a correlation.

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not.

 

[Woodrow24]

Louisville has an athletic freak at QB and scores 31 straight on UK and going to a bowl because of that athletic freak (more valuable than Bolin). WKU has a 5th year senior who is projected to be a 3rd or 4th round draft pick and they win 12 game. UK had Patrick Towles who struggled all season and UK is the 3rd best team in the state and had the 3rd best QB of the state schools and went 5-7 for the 2nd year in a row. This whole season wasn't on Towles, and I think we know that, so I hope it dont come across as me saying that. Im just pointing out a correlation.

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not.

I agree with you on the qb situation. It definitely wasn't all towles fault. Him and the receivers just couldn't get on the same page. He threw great passes that were dropped several times and at times he was wildly inaccurate. I hate that it didn't work out for him here and hope he is successful at Boston college.
I hope that the new OC is Gran. We need a good veteran coach on this staff. I'd be happy just to get the new coach. If he brings in a good quarterback with him that makes it even better.

 

[TJS4UK]

Very good post. FWIW though, WKU's QB was actually a 6th year SR. Proves your point even more firmly.

 

[Madison Cat]

Are we actively seeking a new QB for next year? I hadn't heard anything.

 

[Rhavic]

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not.

Agree with everything you said in the OP, but where did you see this? I hope this is the case. Would like to see Kentucky go this route just in case. Maybe get a dual-threat QB.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

absolutely need a qb...

staff needs to hit the juco and transfer trail hard...need dynamic play making ability from the qb position in today's game...especially when you lack it at the other skill positions...

would prefer an athletic qb who can make plays on the ground...just simply need the extra production...400-500 more yds and 8-12 more scores on the ground from the qb could be worth 2-3 more wins...

I don't know that DB is fully ready mentally, physically, or competitively...he's got plenty of time to develop into the QB that does some really good things for the program...but I don't know that time is here just yet...I feel like he is the "guy" if everything else is solidly in place and all other positions are up to par...but that's not the case...

 

[Chuckinden]

I prefer a mobile, athletic QB who can get you out of jam when needed. I'm biased though because that was the type QB I was in HS 45 yrs ago when we didn't have facemasks and out helmets were leather.

 

[RealCat41]

If Stoops wants to make things easier for Barker then KY cannot be nearly last in the country in offensive starting field position.

If that situation doesn't change then it's going to be difficult to say the least.

 

[screwduke]

If Gran is the new OC could one of their QBs be coming here with him?

 

[Mountain air]

If Gran is the new OC could one of their QBs be coming here with him?

If they did they would have to sit out a year.

 

[Woodrow24]

If Gran is the new OC could one of their QBs be coming here with him?

If I'm not mistaken I think their starting qb will be a fifth year senior next year.

 

[TJS4UK]

If I'm not mistaken I think their starting qb will be a fifth year senior next year.

Yes, Gunnar Kiel will be a 5th year SR, unless he goes Pro. If he graduates anytime between now & fall practice, he could transfer immediately & he would not have to sit out.

UL has a QB transferring... Will Gardner.

 

[RealCat41]

Yes, Gunnar Kiel will be a 5th year SR, unless he goes Pro. If he graduates anytime between now & fall practice, he could transfer immediately & he would not have to sit out.

UL has a QB transferring... Will Gardner.

If Kiel came here he may be the most traveled college football player in History.

Note Dame
Indiana
LSU
Cincinnati
Kentucky?

 

[TJS4UK]

If Kiel came here he may be the most traveled college football player in History.

Note Dame
Indiana
LSU
Cincinnati
Kentucky?

I agree. You'd think that he'd try to go Pro, but who knows.

 

[WildcatofNati]

Kiel would be better served by playing another year in college than by declaring early. I don't know why he would leave UC for UK at this point, unless it's to stay with Gran, but, if somehow, we got him, that would be huge.

 

[Shavers48]

If Kiel came here he may be the most traveled college football player in History.

Note Dame
Indiana
LSU
Cincinnati
Kentucky?

and wasn't his original commit to OU?

 

[Rhavic]

Would really like for Kiel to transfer here. Wouldn't be upset about Bolin transferring here as well.

 

[redbudman]

Louisville has an athletic freak at QB and scores 31 straight on UK and going to a bowl because of that athletic freak (more valuable than Bolin). WKU has a 5th year senior who is projected to be a 3rd or 4th round draft pick and they win 12 game. UK had Patrick Towles who struggled all season and UK is the 3rd best team in the state and had the 3rd best QB of the state schools and went 5-7 for the 2nd year in a row. This whole season wasn't on Towles, and I think we know that, so I hope it dont come across as me saying that. Im just pointing out a correlation.

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not First let me mention that I am I no way making a comparison of talent! Barker is built very similar to Andrew Luck! He has a very quick release, and he will be tough to bring down! In some of his runs this year he showed he has deceptive speed! If he has his head on straight and gets the coaching he needs then he has an "opportunity" to be very successful!

 

[Raptureme]

[winking][winking]

Louisville has an athletic freak at QB and scores 31 straight on UK and going to a bowl because of that athletic freak (more valuable than Bolin). WKU has a 5th year senior who is projected to be a 3rd or 4th round draft pick and they win 12 game. UK had Patrick Towles who struggled all season and UK is the 3rd best team in the state and had the 3rd best QB of the state schools and went 5-7 for the 2nd year in a row. This whole season wasn't on Towles, and I think we know that, so I hope it dont come across as me saying that. Im just pointing out a correlation.

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not.

Here is an indication DB might be good to go:

1) He hit Timmons PERFECTLY for a TD that was placed only where Timmons could catch it

2) He threw a ball Timmons could catch...if Timmons could catch it, well you know the rest

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

I prefer a mobile, athletic QB who can get you out of jam when needed. I'm biased though because that was the type QB I was in HS 45 yrs ago when we didn't have facemasks and out helmets were leather.

So that was you Chuck! Remember me, I was 5th row right behind the bench in the raccoon coat and straw hat with the high school pennant.
Those were good days.

 

[shutzhund]

The problem is relatively immobile abs, both Towles and Barker, with an offensive line that hasn't shown they can pass or run block against any reasonably good defense. Both those players might thrive with a team that could protect them. Don't think anyone who has watched us think we're that team. Might help to have more than two receivers who weren't gun shy.

A qb who is mobile, quick witted with a reasonable arm, in other words the type we have never been able to stop, might be a step in the right direction. If he played in the pros it would probably be as a receiver or defensive back using his athleticism rather than his arm.

The big, stand in the pocket qb is just a big slow moving target at UK. I know some will say that both Towles and Barker can run. That is true but only straight ahead and, at this level, the defensive ends are just as fast or faster.

 

[greginky1957]

What is worrying me about next season is that although we have OL help coming in, most of it should be redshirted and it won't be. They will all probably have to play because we need their help desperately.

 

[Ctroberts1024]

Bring in Kiel this year. And do whatever we have to do to flip Zerrick Cooper from Clemson.

 

[Chuckinden]

So that was you Chuck! Remember me, I was 5th row right behind the bench in the raccoon coat and straw hat with the high school pennant.
Those were good days.

Yeah I remember you! I overthrew a receiver and the ball hit you in the head. Straw and coon skin went everywhere.

 

[Poetax]

Louisville has an athletic freak at QB and scores 31 straight on UK and going to a bowl because of that athletic freak (more valuable than Bolin). WKU has a 5th year senior who is projected to be a 3rd or 4th round draft pick and they win 12 game. UK had Patrick Towles who struggled all season and UK is the 3rd best team in the state and had the 3rd best QB of the state schools and went 5-7 for the 2nd year in a row. This whole season wasn't on Towles, and I think we know that, so I hope it dont come across as me saying that. Im just pointing out a correlation.

Good thing that this new OC has convinced Stoops to look for another option at QB, either JUCO or 5th year transfer. We need to make sure that position is on point. After all we still don't know if Drew Barker is a gamer or not.

Do we have a new OC already?

 

[Poetax]

If Stoops wants to make things easier for Barker then KY cannot be nearly last in the country in offensive starting field position.

If that situation doesn't change then it's going to be difficult to say the least.

Plus if our oline play doesn't improve our dual threat will be wore out by the half.

 

[Rhavic]

Do we have a new OC already?

Stoops has him picked out already. It should be announced after Christmas, if not immediately after the Cincinnati game on the 24th.

 

[UKani]

What is worrying me about next season is that although we have OL help coming in, most of it should be redshirted and it won't be. They will all probably have to play because we need their help desperately.

I don't think this should be a worry. We are pretty solid in the middle. I'm not worried about any freshman playing at center or guard at all. However Tackle is the spot that we need some players. We know that Tate Leavitt will hold down the LT spot. However I do feel like Landon Young will play at RT and will not redshirt. But I think the others will redshirt. I think next year if UK breaks down it will be at tackle, not up the middle of the Oline.

 

[vhcat70]

I think next year if UK breaks down it will be at tackle, not up the middle of the Oline.

Our OL needs one helluva improvement to not break down next year.

 

[greginky1957]

I don't think this should be a worry. We are pretty solid in the middle. I'm not worried about any freshman playing at center or guard at all. However Tackle is the spot that we need some players. We know that Tate Leavitt will hold down the LT spot. However I do feel like Landon Young will play at RT and will not redshirt. But I think the others will redshirt. I think next year if UK breaks down it will be at tackle, not up the middle of the Oline.

I hope that you're right UKani. If Landon Young is the only one to play then that would be helpful even though I am sure that he too would benefit from a redshirt year. We are getting better depth at the OL but still could be a couple of years away given the youth we have at those positions. I fully expect Tate Levitt to play and probably start right away. I think that the future of the OL looks bright but I still think it will be at least 2 more years before it really starts to shine maybe 3 before it is at its' brightest. I hope that we can land Jedrick Wills next year. Getting depth and being able to redhirt OL personnel will be the key to real improvement on offense. Don't get me wrong, we will have improved OL play next year, and hopefully in a couple of years they will become a real SEC caliber line.(meaning that we will have a 2 deep rotation of good players)

 

[Levibooty]

Starting freshmen on the OL in the SEC is not what I want to see at UK. It's akin to telling a middle schooler to go whip their dad.

 

[shutzhund]

Plus if our oline play doesn't improve our dual threat will be wore out by the half.

Then we need to recruit two of them. But, your point is sound.

 

[Rhavic]

Starting freshmen on the OL in the SEC is not what I want to see at UK. It's akin to telling a middle schooler to go whip their dad.

Yet it's okay when Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia does it? Nevermind that we have close to a top 50 recruit in the country that plays the position, and is probably our best option.
Kentucky wouldn't be the first, or the last SEC school to start true freshmen on the offensive line. Other schools do it, schools that are great at football. So no, it's not akin to telling a middle schooler to go whip their dad, unless that's something that happens frequently.

 

[Levibooty]

Yet it's okay when Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia does it? Nevermind that we have close to a top 50 recruit in the country that plays the position, and is probably our best option.
Kentucky wouldn't be the first, or the last SEC school to start true freshmen on the offensive line. Other schools do it, schools that are great at football. So no, it's not akin to telling a middle schooler to go whip their dad, unless that's something that happens frequently.

Yeah I heard all this before when people were saying George A_A will only stay three years. How did that work out?

Starting freshmen means you don't have anybody on the team and no red shirts coming up that can handle the job. That's a red flag--- Get it?

It also means you are pitting a young player with a young body against a mature OL who have had time to develop their body and strength on a weekly basis. That amounts to more wear and tear on the player. More risk to his health. Get it?

It's amazing how people's knee jerk responses are to argue for the exceptions as if Kentucky was an exceptional football program.

 

[Rhavic]

Yeah I heard all this before when people were saying George A_A will only stay three years. How did that work out?

Starting freshmen means you don't have anybody on the team and no red shirts coming up that can handle the job. That's a red flag--- Get it?

It also means you are pitting a young player with a young body against a mature OL who have had time to develop their body and strength on a weekly basis. That amounts to more wear and tear on the player. More risk to his health. Get it?

It's amazing how people's knee jerk responses are to argue for the exceptions as if Kentucky was an exceptional football program.

GAA is also a guard, not a tackle. The minute Landon Young and Tate Leavitt walk through the doors, I fully expect GAA to move back to OG.
If it's a red flag, then even the best teams in the country have red flags. Just because a player is a freshman doesn't mean in any form or fashion that they can't be very good, regardless of the position.

Is Landon Young, well, young? Yes. He's also very athletic, and has a very unique athleticism and stature for his size. Those are the kinds of athletes you need on the edges of your offensive line. The ones that are going to be able to play their freshman season at 310 pounds with 8% body fat.
Typically, that's not the case. Typically, when you have an offensive lineman with this type of build, they come into their freshman season weighing about 260# or so, and it does take a good while to build them up physically. That's part of what makes Young unique. His physical development as his age.

Twist this however you would like, frankly, I do not care. The reality is, teams, regardless of who they are, will play true freshmen if the true freshmen give them reasons to play them, whether it's on the offensive or defensive line. It does not matter what school, nor does it matter the conference. If Young went to Alabama and started as a true freshman, would you be talking about how terrible Alabama is on the offensive line? Or would you praise Young? (as much as you can praise a kid that spurns Kentucky for Alabama).

If he deserves the spot, he's going to get it. It may, or may not be a red flag, but you can put your money down on one thing today, he seems like a better option than anything else we currently have, and you can take that to the bank with you.

 

[Levibooty]

GAA is also a guard, not a tackle. The minute Landon Young and Tate Leavitt walk through the doors, I fully expect GAA to move back to OG.
If it's a red flag, then even the best teams in the country have red flags. Just because a player is a freshman doesn't mean in any form or fashion that they can't be very good, regardless of the position.

Is Landon Young, well, young? Yes. He's also very athletic, and has a very unique athleticism and stature for his size. Those are the kinds of athletes you need on the edges of your offensive line. The ones that are going to be able to play their freshman season at 310 pounds with 8% body fat.
Typically, that's not the case. Typically, when you have an offensive lineman with this type of build, they come into their freshman season weighing about 260# or so, and it does take a good while to build them up physically. That's part of what makes Young unique. His physical development as his age.

Twist this however you would like, frankly, I do not care. The reality is, teams, regardless of who they are, will play true freshmen if the true freshmen give them reasons to play them, whether it's on the offensive or defensive line. It does not matter what school, nor does it matter the conference. If Young went to Alabama and started as a true freshman, would you be talking about how terrible Alabama is on the offensive line? Or would you praise Young? (as much as you can praise a kid that spurns Kentucky for Alabama).

If he deserves the spot, he's going to get it. It may, or may not be a red flag, but you can put your money down on one thing today, he seems like a better option than anything else we currently have, and you can take that to the bank with you.

I understand your argument and if that is what has to be done then it has to be done, but there is a reason you are arguing exceptions. That reason is whenever an SEC program can red shirt their OL they do and those four and five year players are simply better overall than freshmen that go up against them.

You can make your case of spending that athletic capital as soon as you get it, some people make that same case with money, I think that's foolish to do unless you simply have to, but for the better programs whether athletic or financial that is not their first inclination.

 

[TJS4UK]

[QUOTE="Rhavicc, post: 3071468, member: The ones that are going to be able to play their freshman season at 310 pounds with 8% body fat.
[/QUOTE]

I agree with 310 & 8% body fat. However, IMHO, they don't even have to be that big. 290 lbs is plenty big for an OT if they are strong enough. I actually believe that UK's OL would play a whole lot better if many of them lost 10-25 lbs and got quicker.

 

[UKani]

Yet it's okay when Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia does it? Nevermind that we have close to a top 50 recruit in the country that plays the position, and is probably our best option.
Kentucky wouldn't be the first, or the last SEC school to start true freshmen on the offensive line. Other schools do it, schools that are great at football. So no, it's not akin to telling a middle schooler to go whip their dad, unless that's something that happens frequently.

Those schools usually land better quality OLinemen than us, and they usually play there intended positions. I'd say that Landon Young would be amongst that group.

 

[Anjiejo]

I understand your argument and if that is what has to be done then it has to be done, but there is a reason you are arguing exceptions. That reason is whenever an SEC program can red shirt their OL they do and those four and five year players are simply better overall than freshmen that go up against them.

You can make your case of spending that athletic capital as soon as you get it, some people make that same case with money, I think that's foolish to do unless you simply have to, but for the better programs whether athletic or financial that is not their first inclination.

If i remember correctly TN started 2 freshman on there oline this past year!