Patrick Towles future

JABJRS

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2002
2,326
1,493
0
As I have stated before, there was/is no bigger fan of PT than me. However, I believe at this point it is safe to say that something "between the ears" does not allow him to succeed at the quarterback position. He has all the physical gifts but he just does appear to have the *it* factor. My personal theory is that he does not have the thick skin that a QB needs, he is too sensitive to his own mistakes and the opinions of the fanbase. I feel like we have watched his confidence erode to a point this year where he can barely get our of his own way anymore.

Hoping Drew Barker does not share this mentality.

Having stated the above, I have always thought that PT (if not for playing QB his whole life) would have made a heck of a tight end. I don't know if he has good hands or not but he certainly has the size, speed and knowledge of the offense to be effective. Assuming he is done as UK's starting QB it seems a shame to just have him stand on the sidelines.....would it be worth his while to switch positions to maybe some kind of TE/H-back hybrid, not the same position as Conrad, but something more akin to what James Whalen used to do mostly lining up in the slot or right off the QB's hip.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
78,856
120,328
93
As I have stated before, there was/is no bigger fan of PT than me. However, I believe at this point it is safe to say that something "between the ears" does not allow him to succeed at the quarterback position. He has all the physical gifts but he just does appear to have the *it* factor. My personal theory is that he does not have the thick skin that a QB needs, he is too sensitive to his own mistakes and the opinions of the fanbase. I feel like we have watched his confidence erode to a point this year where he can barely get our of his own way anymore.

Hoping Drew Barker does not share this mentality.

Having stated the above, I have always thought that PT (if not for playing QB his whole life) would have made a heck of a tight end. I don't know if he has good hands or not but he certainly has the size, speed and knowledge of the offense to be effective. Assuming he is done as UK's starting QB it seems a shame to just have him stand on the sidelines.....would it be worth his while to switch positions to maybe some kind of TE/H-back hybrid, not the same position as Conrad, but something more akin to what James Whalen used to do mostly lining up in the slot or right off the QB's hip.

Thoughts?
Wouldn't shock me if he graduates and plays at another school with less pressure and with a system he feels good about. We shall see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eacsxt

WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
Every year, there are many highly regarded HS QB that, for whatever reasons, do not come close to matching their HS careers in college. Towles appears to be in that category. In his second full year as a starter he is #49 in YPG (not too bad) but not in the top 100 in QBR (really bad). Truth be told, his performance as a passer in both 2014 and 2015 is very similar to Whitlow's performance in 2013. The glaring difference statistically is that Towles has thrown for more than twice as much yardage as did Whitlow. But Whitlow shared the QB with Smith and threw less than half as many passes as has Towles. If we take the difference in passes thrown and multiply that by Whitlow's 6.5 YPA we get very similar numbers as Towles has posted.

As I have said before my biggest criticism of this staff is they way they have handled the QB situation beginning with installing Whitlow as the #2 QB in 2013. I think at that time fan expectations were for (I hate say it) more of an Air Raid approach and 2012 showed us Whitlow was not a very good candidate for that role. If the intention was to run a passing game (not a running QB scheme) I remain convinced it would have been better to install either Towles or Phillips as the #2 behind Smith rather than red shirt both. Likewise, it is incomprehensible to me why Barker has seen no PT at all until now.

Should Barker be "the answer" it is unlikely that Towles could or should change positions for his last year. You still need a #2 QB. All of course, JMO.

Peace
 
  • Like
Reactions: mattrudd

UKUGA

Heisman
Jan 26, 2007
18,505
26,810
0
If this season ends on its current trajectory with Barker maintaining the reins at QB, then I suspect Patrick will transfer.

He could still put up big numbers at another school, perhaps with lesser competition, facing slower defensive linemen.

Then, he still gets his shot at the NFL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe

Bluetick2100

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2007
5,627
3,629
113
Back up
He's one play away from being the QB again.
I'm not quiet ready to count him done.
With the pressure off and sitting on the bench the desire to succeed may challenge his character.
 

Cadillaccat

Senior
May 6, 2011
1,048
484
83
I'd like to give him a shot at TE. Didn't Oklahoma do that with the big QB they had a year or two ago?
 

Deeeefense

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 22, 2001
43,967
50,615
113
There was reason to believe Towles would improve this year based on comments from staff. On paper anyone he had a better supporting cast then last year as well. 4 of 5 starting lineman back, several key skill players back and improvement at the TE position. But for whatever reason that did not occur. It's hard not to conclude that Patrick has topped out at his present ceiling so it makes sense now to give opportunities to Barker and perhaps even Phillips to see what they can do.

I'm not throwing this season in the trash just yet, a bowl is still a possibility but at this juncture they really have to be thinking about next year. Another season at the QB spot like we just have won't get us too far so they might as well start plotting a different course IMO.
 
Apr 13, 2002
44,001
97,149
0
Wouldnt surprise me at all to see him win the job back during the offseason. Physically, hes the most gifted player to play QB at UK. If he can ever put the cerebral pieces together, he will be a top 3-5 QB in the draft.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pickled cat

Gabewcat

Junior
May 22, 2002
2,768
398
0
Towles will not be back next year at UK. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL So he ill transfer as 5th year senior and play at another school. Who knows he maay follow Maxwell Smith at San Diego State. Other possibilities are playing with Mike Leach at Wash St, Brohm at Western Kentucky. I am sure the Patrick will check out the current QB situation at different schools before deciding. One thing is for sure, the way the UK fan base has treated him, I don't blame Patrick for leaving and have a chip on his shoulder. Patrick ewill thrive under the right coach that utilizes his talents correctly and will be in the NFL after next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ugoff
Apr 13, 2002
44,001
97,149
0
He won't, he isn't and he will not be.

Odds are against it. But it wouldnt be surprising. Improve pre-snap reads. Improve his progressions. Learn to anticipate the player being open, rather than waiting till theyre actually open (which is too late). Do those things, and he can be the star we all thought he would be.
 

DACats86

All-Conference
Jan 7, 2003
22,776
4,134
0
Odds are against it. But it wouldnt be surprising. Improve pre-snap reads. Improve his progressions. Learn to anticipate the player being open, rather than waiting till theyre actually open (which is too late). Do those things, and he can be the star we all thought he would be.
He's a 4th-year junior. It isn't going to happen. He is a great kid. though, Mr. Towles.
 

JABJRS

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2002
2,326
1,493
0
Wouldnt surprise me at all to see him win the job back during the offseason. Physically, hes the most gifted player to play QB at UK. If he can ever put the cerebral pieces together, he will be a top 3-5 QB in the draft.


I like your optimism but this scenario just ain't going to happen. Your correct in regard to PT's physical gifts but the truth is he just lacks some things that cannot be taught:

1) ACCURACY. He simply is not an accurate passer, particularly in the short and intermediate game.
2) Pocket presence. He just doesn't seem to feel the rush when he should and then seems to "feel" a phantom rush when he has plenty of time. This causes choppy feet, which causes inaccuracy.
3) Decisiveness. As someone said above PT likes to see an "open" receiver rather than "throw" them open.

It is a shame, but if he doesn't have these qualities by now I don't think he will ever somehow "learn" them. These are inborn attributes that some have, and some don't. No matter how physically gifted one is if they don't have the qualities above then they will never be a high-level SEC *passing* QB, much less make it in the NFL.
 

lz

Heisman
Jan 27, 2002
28,846
32,607
83
We have Conrad and the Nebraska transfer and Long, no TE needed in 2016.
 

JABJRS

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2002
2,326
1,493
0
Towles will not be back next year at UK. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL So he ill transfer as 5th year senior and play at another school. Who knows he maay follow Maxwell Smith at San Diego State. Other possibilities are playing with Mike Leach at Wash St, Brohm at Western Kentucky. I am sure the Patrick will check out the current QB situation at different schools before deciding. One thing is for sure, the way the UK fan base has treated him, I don't blame Patrick for leaving and have a chip on his shoulder. Patrick ewill thrive under the right coach that utilizes his talents correctly and will be in the NFL after next year.


Gabe, it just isn't going to happen. He is almost 22 years old and a 4th year Jr. These issues have been with him since H.S., he could just get away with it then because he, and his team, were so much more talented than the competition. Trust me, I kept waiting for the light to come on, and actually believed it had after the Mizzou game this year; unfortunately, that turned out to be the exception rather than the rule. By the end of the 1st quarter of the UGA game I had come to accept it......PT is what he is and it isn't going to get any better no matter who the coach is.

It's like being tall or having blue eyes....your born with it or you aren't, it can't be taught to you.
 

JABJRS

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2002
2,326
1,493
0
We have Conrad and the Nebraska transfer and Long, no TE needed in 2016.


That's why I was suggesting more of a H-back type role that could be on the field at the same time as the TE.
 

JohnBlue

Heisman
Jul 22, 2003
188,376
14,335
0
He hasn't not started a game yet this season and already you guys have him transferring, switching positions, or riding the bench. It's no wonder so many get so tore up after each game. Let's see if Barker can finish a game before we discard anyone. Common sense says there is a reason he's never been able to beat out Towles and you same people might be begging for Patrick back, you never know about these things. I just think you're setting yourselves up for another heart break by proclaiming the battle is over before Barker plays his first game.
 

Cadillaccat

Senior
May 6, 2011
1,048
484
83
We have Conrad and the Nebraska transfer and Long, no TE needed in 2016.
PT would be the most gifted physically of the bunch. Long and the transfer appear to be backups at best while Conrad can be very good. Towles would have the speed that is so rare at TE. IMO
 

Cadillaccat

Senior
May 6, 2011
1,048
484
83
He hasn't not started a game yet this season and already you guys have him transferring, switching positions, or riding the bench. It's no wonder so many get so tore up after each game. Let's see if Barker can finish a game before we discard anyone. Common sense says there is a reason he's never been able to beat out Towles and you same people might be begging for Patrick back, you never know about these things. I just think you're setting yourselves up for another heart break by proclaiming the battle is over before Barker plays his first game.
Barker may not be the solution but IMO Patrick is not. He is horrible throwing short passes and his pocket presence is nearly as bad. I hope he stays and finds his niche whatever or wherever that is.
 

CatsFanGG24

Heisman
Dec 22, 2003
22,267
27,137
0
I think some are overestimating PTs athleticism....Big guy, can move decently, but really H-Back...TE? His field vision is horrid, please review long run vs Florida or TD vs Tennessee as examples...and he isn't as fast as some think...DL run him down over and over.

He is a good athlete for a QB...he would be mediocre athlete for other positions.
 

Cadillaccat

Senior
May 6, 2011
1,048
484
83
I think some are overestimating PTs athleticism....Big guy, can move decently, but really H-Back...TE? His field vision is horrid, please review long run vs Florida or TD vs Tennessee as examples...and he isn't as fast as some think...DL run him down over and over.

He is a good athlete for a QB...he would be mediocre athlete for other positions.
He runs in the 4.6's in the 40, Conrad is a 4.8 guy.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
Towles will not be back next year at UK. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL So he ill transfer as 5th year senior and play at another school. Who knows he maay follow Maxwell Smith at San Diego State. Other possibilities are playing with Mike Leach at Wash St, Brohm at Western Kentucky. I am sure the Patrick will check out the current QB situation at different schools before deciding. One thing is for sure, the way the UK fan base has treated him, I don't blame Patrick for leaving and have a chip on his shoulder. Patrick ewill thrive under the right coach that utilizes his talents correctly and will be in the NFL after next year.

He's used his RS year so he couldn't transfer to those schools and play. Would have to transfer down to continue his career.
 

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
31,836
11,258
0
if Barker falls on his face against UL it is entirely possible the staff writes him off, makes Towles the '16 starter with more seriousness in quickly developing Gunnar Hoak to be ready to play in '17 (unlike what they did with Barker this season)
 

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
31,836
11,258
0
He's used his RS year so he couldn't transfer to those schools and play. Would have to transfer down to continue his career.
5th year graduating senior transfer rule, he can go to any D1 school in the country for his final year if he graduates from UK prior to the season. See Lambert at Georgia, Golson at FSU, Michigan's starting QB.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
5th year graduating senior transfer rule, he can go to any D1 school in the country for his final year if he graduates from UK prior to the season. See Lambert at Georgia, Golson at FSU, Michigan's starting QB.

True but a new school has to offer a course of study he can't get at his current school.
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
People are acting as if they hear the fat lady singing...

looking good against Charlotte and even a weak UL team isn't going to tell us a whole lot about DB...

Should we get a bowl bid, I think we will see an open competition to see who starts and there is a possibility that we could see some sort of two QB system...

The position will be open in the spring and probably go well into the summer...again, i think that next fall unless something extraordinary happens we could see both qbs play at least early on...

as for PT...if DB turns out to be the second coming...I think Pat is going to have options...he could switch positions and become some sort of hybrid utility player...

or he'll transfer somewhere he can start...6'5 240lb strong, athletic, big arm veteran QB...somebody will want him...

WKU...Cinci...IU...Mike leach may be interested...Neal Brown at Troy...Pat did have a lot better year last year under Neal...

also, all these programs that will have new coaches...sometimes a new HC goes the graduate transfer route for the experience and leadership and it's easier than scouting a dozen different high school kids who aren't going to be ready for year or two...
 
Last edited:

RealCat41

Senior
Oct 1, 2009
1,250
461
0
5th year graduating senior transfer rule, he can go to any D1 school in the country for his final year if he graduates from UK prior to the season. See Lambert at Georgia, Golson at FSU, Michigan's starting QB.

You should post more often.
 

theoledog

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2008
4,306
1,444
0
Towles will not be back next year at UK. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL So he ill transfer as 5th year senior and play at another school. Who knows he maay follow Maxwell Smith at San Diego State. Other possibilities are playing with Mike Leach at Wash St, Brohm at Western Kentucky. I am sure the Patrick will check out the current QB situation at different schools before deciding. One thing is for sure, the way the UK fan base has treated him, I don't blame Patrick for leaving and have a chip on his shoulder. Patrick ewill thrive under the right coach that utilizes his talents correctly and will be in the NFL after next year.
I agree with you... No reason for PT to not try another system to see if it was a fit issue... But... We haven't seen the other guy play either so the final chapter in this story hasn't been written ...yet.
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
As I have stated before, there was/is no bigger fan of PT than me. However, I believe at this point it is safe to say that something "between the ears" does not allow him to succeed at the quarterback position. He has all the physical gifts but he just does appear to have the *it* factor. My personal theory is that he does not have the thick skin that a QB needs, he is too sensitive to his own mistakes and the opinions of the fanbase. I feel like we have watched his confidence erode to a point this year where he can barely get our of his own way anymore.

Hoping Drew Barker does not share this mentality.

Having stated the above, I have always thought that PT (if not for playing QB his whole life) would have made a heck of a tight end. I don't know if he has good hands or not but he certainly has the size, speed and knowledge of the offense to be effective. Assuming he is done as UK's starting QB it seems a shame to just have him stand on the sidelines.....would it be worth his while to switch positions to maybe some kind of TE/H-back hybrid, not the same position as Conrad, but something more akin to what James Whalen used to do mostly lining up in the slot or right off the QB's hip.

Thoughts?

Yeah why can't he be the backup QB, we all know they are just ONE play away from being a starter. I mean who knows what Phillips might do if Drew keeps the job until he graduates, backups are a real need at this position.
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
There was reason to believe Towles would improve this year based on comments from staff. On paper anyone he had a better supporting cast then last year as well. 4 of 5 starting lineman back, several key skill players back and improvement at the TE position. But for whatever reason that did not occur. It's hard not to conclude that Patrick has topped out at his present ceiling so it makes sense now to give opportunities to Barker and perhaps even Phillips to see what they can do.

I'm not throwing this season in the trash just yet, a bowl is still a possibility but at this juncture they really have to be thinking about next year. Another season at the QB spot like we just have won't get us too far so they might as well start plotting a different course IMO.

I'm not ready to say that the oline has improved that much from last year. They still allow too much pressure, and make too many penalties for this offense to be what we all would like for it to be.
 

CatsFanGG24

Heisman
Dec 22, 2003
22,267
27,137
0
He runs in the 4.6's in the 40, Conrad is a 4.8 guy.
Doubt it. Those numbers are always exaggerated. Bud Dupree was a physical freak and he was a consistent 4.6 who could break 4.5

In last year NFL draft, Mariota was the fastest QB at 4.52 and Blake Sims ran a 4.58 - and both are much much faster than Towles...
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
Towles will not be back next year at UK. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL So he ill transfer as 5th year senior and play at another school. Who knows he maay follow Maxwell Smith at San Diego State. Other possibilities are playing with Mike Leach at Wash St, Brohm at Western Kentucky. I am sure the Patrick will check out the current QB situation at different schools before deciding. One thing is for sure, the way the UK fan base has treated him, I don't blame Patrick for leaving and have a chip on his shoulder. Patrick ewill thrive under the right coach that utilizes his talents correctly and will be in the NFL after next year.
Come on Gabe...if you think the sec eats Towles alive, how the hell will he survive in the NFL where the speed of the game is on another level even from the beat cinference in the country...and playing @WSU...they have a WALKON redshirt sophomore who is 391-556 for 4067yds..35 td-8 int...not happening
 
Last edited:

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
5th year graduating senior transfer rule, he can go to any D1 school in the country for his final year if he graduates from UK prior to the season. See Lambert at Georgia, Golson at FSU, Michigan's starting QB.
Coker also doing that at Alabama?
 

Snarks

All-American
Jan 31, 2005
7,883
5,385
93
Towles has been given plenty of chances to prove himself as the starting QB, and obviously it just hasnt worked out. He has the physical tools to be a fantastic player, but I hope we have seen his last snap as the starter. At some point, you need to move on.

It would probably be in his best interest to transfer and see if that makes a difference.