2014 Kentucky Position by Position Preview: Quarterbacks
Part one in an eight part series previewing the 2014 Kentucky Football Wildcats.
Barring something unforeseen, neither of the gentlemen pictured above will start at quarterback.
We've almost made it, Cat fans. We've successfully navigated through the doldrums of the Kentucky sports calendar, and now stand at the precipice of football season. Fall camp is less than a week away, and year two of the Mark Stoops Kentucky rejuvenation project hits Commonwealth Stadium in just one month. Here to greet this glorious time of year is the annual Kentucky Sports Radio position by position preview, an eight part series breaking down each position group on the Wildcat roster. We know you are anxious to hear about the punters, but we're saving that preview to the end to allow the tension to build. Instead, we'll start with quarterbacks.
THE CANDIDATES:
Patrick Towles 6-5, 238 So. Ft. Thomas, KY (Highlands)
Towles made a strong impression in the Spring after appearing to be the odd man out in 2013, when he was beaten out by both Max Smith and Jalen Whitlow. Towles redshirted in 2013, and rededicated himself to the fundamentals, in part through the employment of private quarterback coaches in the off-season. This work appears to have paid off. Towles was named the starting quarterback for the Spring Game, and appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the position going into Fall camp. Of the likely candidates for the job, Towles is the only player with collegiate playing experience, though that initial foray into college football was largely forgettable, having completed 19 of 40 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman in 2012. Towles has always possessed the physical tools, as indicated by his stellar high school career. Towles went 38-1 as a starter for the powerful Highland Bluebirds, including three consecutive state titles. He compiled 7400 passing yards and 73 passing touchdowns as well as 1700 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns in a high school career that culminated with the Mr. Football Award in 2011.
Reese Phillips 6-2, 218 Fr.-RS Signal Mountain, TN
Despite being far and away the least heralded of the contenders for the Kentucky quarterback position, Phillips nearly worked his way onto the field as a true freshman in 2013. Having graduated high school a semester early, Phillips immediately impressed coaches with his cool demeanor and accuracy in the Spring of 2013. As injuries mounted at the position last Fall, coaches seriously considered throwing Phillips into the fire, but decided it was in the best interest of Phillips and the program to preserve his redshirt season. Phillips was twice named all state in the volunteer state, before escaping over the wall designed to keep out all of the haters and snitches. Phillips will go into Fall camp competing with Towles and Barker for the starting job.
Drew Barker 6-3, 216 Fr.-HS Burlington, KY (Conner)
Barker gave himself a legitimate shot at the starting quarterback position by enrolling in January so that he could participate in the conditioning program and compete in Spring Practice. Undoubtedly one of Mark Stoops' biggest achievements to date as the Wildcat coach was the signing of Barker, an Elite 11 quarterback and four star prospect. As a three year starter at Conner, Barker threw for over 6000 yards and 62 touchdowns, and rushed for over 3900 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Maxwell Smith 6-4, 238 Jr. Granada Hills, CA
Smith's status is up in the air following off-season shoulder surgery. However, he is throwing at this point, and has been told by coaches he will have the opportunity to compete if healthy. "If healthy" is a significant qualification for Smith, who has actually been quite capable in those rare moments that he has been able to avoid injury. Smith has played in 21 games in his Kentucky career, starting 11. In that game action, he has thrown for over 3000 yards and 21 touchdowns compared to just 9 interceptions. Unfortunately, his best football took place early in his Kentucky career, as witnessed by his 2011 Freshman All SEC designation, before a multitude of injuries hampered his effectiveness.
OUTLOOK:
Unfortunately, I do not think that Maxwell Smith is a viable option at this point. If fully healthy, I truly believe that Smith has ideal tools to be an excellent option in the Air Raid Offense. Having said that, by the end of last season, it appeared his arm was held to his torso by bailing twine. And though he admirably fought through it without complaint, and without much help from his supporting cast I might add, it seems too much to ask for him to overtake three talented, and healthy, quarterbacks in the Fall.
The resulting three man race is difficult to call with any real certainty, as there is a valid argument to be made for each candidate. Each brings something unique to the table. If you combined the three together, you'd get former 'Cat Jared Lorenzen. (I kid, Jared. Don't hurt me.) If you combined the three in something other than mass, the resulting player would be something pretty special. Towles possesses all of the measurable qualities. With his 6-5 height and broad shoulders, he looks like an NFL quarterback. He also has the strongest arm of the candidates. Phillips has the accuracy that Neal Brown craves. Brown has stated many times that accuracy is the single most important characteristic for a quarterback to possess in his version of the Air Raid. Barker has that certain air of leadership and star power that Kentucky has not enjoyed at the most important of positions since the days of Tim Couch. Because the technology necessary to combine these players to form one megaback will likely not be available by the August 30 opener, Stoops will have to make the call.
The best case scenario appears to be for Towles to win the job. He is the most experienced, in his third year in the program, and appears to have reached the point in which his preparation and devotion to the craft have equaled his raw ability. Towles has the arm strength to make all of the throws necessary for opponents to have to cover the entire field, as evidenced by the 15 yard outs he zipped routinely in the Spring Game. Towles' emergence will have the added benefit of allowing Barker to redshirt. Though fans are understandably excited about Barker, and many will be impatient to see him on the field, success at the highest level of Division One football as a true freshman quarterback is a rarity. (Like a Louisville fan with a job.) Allowing Barker a year to get stronger and perfect his understanding of the offense would be a tremendous luxury. It would also grant another year for Stoops, Marrow and company to fill the offense with weapons for his disposal once he is ready to take over the position, whenever that may be. Phillips would appear to be an ideal backup. Brown stated that he was both the most accurate passer and most consistent performer over the Spring, though his ceiling may not quite reach the peak level of either Barker or Towles. These qualities will serve Phillips well as a dependable backup to Towles in 2014.
Barring something unforeseen, neither of the gentlemen pictured above will start at quarterback.
We've almost made it, Cat fans. We've successfully navigated through the doldrums of the Kentucky sports calendar, and now stand at the precipice of football season. Fall camp is less than a week away, and year two of the Mark Stoops Kentucky rejuvenation project hits Commonwealth Stadium in just one month. Here to greet this glorious time of year is the annual Kentucky Sports Radio position by position preview, an eight part series breaking down each position group on the Wildcat roster. We know you are anxious to hear about the punters, but we're saving that preview to the end to allow the tension to build. Instead, we'll start with quarterbacks.
THE CANDIDATES:
Patrick Towles 6-5, 238 So. Ft. Thomas, KY (Highlands)
Towles made a strong impression in the Spring after appearing to be the odd man out in 2013, when he was beaten out by both Max Smith and Jalen Whitlow. Towles redshirted in 2013, and rededicated himself to the fundamentals, in part through the employment of private quarterback coaches in the off-season. This work appears to have paid off. Towles was named the starting quarterback for the Spring Game, and appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the position going into Fall camp. Of the likely candidates for the job, Towles is the only player with collegiate playing experience, though that initial foray into college football was largely forgettable, having completed 19 of 40 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman in 2012. Towles has always possessed the physical tools, as indicated by his stellar high school career. Towles went 38-1 as a starter for the powerful Highland Bluebirds, including three consecutive state titles. He compiled 7400 passing yards and 73 passing touchdowns as well as 1700 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns in a high school career that culminated with the Mr. Football Award in 2011.
Reese Phillips 6-2, 218 Fr.-RS Signal Mountain, TN
Despite being far and away the least heralded of the contenders for the Kentucky quarterback position, Phillips nearly worked his way onto the field as a true freshman in 2013. Having graduated high school a semester early, Phillips immediately impressed coaches with his cool demeanor and accuracy in the Spring of 2013. As injuries mounted at the position last Fall, coaches seriously considered throwing Phillips into the fire, but decided it was in the best interest of Phillips and the program to preserve his redshirt season. Phillips was twice named all state in the volunteer state, before escaping over the wall designed to keep out all of the haters and snitches. Phillips will go into Fall camp competing with Towles and Barker for the starting job.
Drew Barker 6-3, 216 Fr.-HS Burlington, KY (Conner)
Barker gave himself a legitimate shot at the starting quarterback position by enrolling in January so that he could participate in the conditioning program and compete in Spring Practice. Undoubtedly one of Mark Stoops' biggest achievements to date as the Wildcat coach was the signing of Barker, an Elite 11 quarterback and four star prospect. As a three year starter at Conner, Barker threw for over 6000 yards and 62 touchdowns, and rushed for over 3900 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Maxwell Smith 6-4, 238 Jr. Granada Hills, CA
Smith's status is up in the air following off-season shoulder surgery. However, he is throwing at this point, and has been told by coaches he will have the opportunity to compete if healthy. "If healthy" is a significant qualification for Smith, who has actually been quite capable in those rare moments that he has been able to avoid injury. Smith has played in 21 games in his Kentucky career, starting 11. In that game action, he has thrown for over 3000 yards and 21 touchdowns compared to just 9 interceptions. Unfortunately, his best football took place early in his Kentucky career, as witnessed by his 2011 Freshman All SEC designation, before a multitude of injuries hampered his effectiveness.
OUTLOOK:
Unfortunately, I do not think that Maxwell Smith is a viable option at this point. If fully healthy, I truly believe that Smith has ideal tools to be an excellent option in the Air Raid Offense. Having said that, by the end of last season, it appeared his arm was held to his torso by bailing twine. And though he admirably fought through it without complaint, and without much help from his supporting cast I might add, it seems too much to ask for him to overtake three talented, and healthy, quarterbacks in the Fall.
The resulting three man race is difficult to call with any real certainty, as there is a valid argument to be made for each candidate. Each brings something unique to the table. If you combined the three together, you'd get former 'Cat Jared Lorenzen. (I kid, Jared. Don't hurt me.) If you combined the three in something other than mass, the resulting player would be something pretty special. Towles possesses all of the measurable qualities. With his 6-5 height and broad shoulders, he looks like an NFL quarterback. He also has the strongest arm of the candidates. Phillips has the accuracy that Neal Brown craves. Brown has stated many times that accuracy is the single most important characteristic for a quarterback to possess in his version of the Air Raid. Barker has that certain air of leadership and star power that Kentucky has not enjoyed at the most important of positions since the days of Tim Couch. Because the technology necessary to combine these players to form one megaback will likely not be available by the August 30 opener, Stoops will have to make the call.
The best case scenario appears to be for Towles to win the job. He is the most experienced, in his third year in the program, and appears to have reached the point in which his preparation and devotion to the craft have equaled his raw ability. Towles has the arm strength to make all of the throws necessary for opponents to have to cover the entire field, as evidenced by the 15 yard outs he zipped routinely in the Spring Game. Towles' emergence will have the added benefit of allowing Barker to redshirt. Though fans are understandably excited about Barker, and many will be impatient to see him on the field, success at the highest level of Division One football as a true freshman quarterback is a rarity. (Like a Louisville fan with a job.) Allowing Barker a year to get stronger and perfect his understanding of the offense would be a tremendous luxury. It would also grant another year for Stoops, Marrow and company to fill the offense with weapons for his disposal once he is ready to take over the position, whenever that may be. Phillips would appear to be an ideal backup. Brown stated that he was both the most accurate passer and most consistent performer over the Spring, though his ceiling may not quite reach the peak level of either Barker or Towles. These qualities will serve Phillips well as a dependable backup to Towles in 2014.
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