Kentucky QB2 still up for grabs after Spring Practice

Kentucky made a splash in the transfer portal when the Wildcats added arguably the best quarterback available, Devin Leary. The preseason ACC Player of the Year a year ago would not be in the portal if it weren’t for injuries. Two of his last three seasons ended early, thanks to injuries.

Leary signed up to play for a school that allowed more sacks than any other Power Five program in 2022. An injury-prone quarterback + a sack-happy offensive line = a recipe for disaster. Finding a formidable QB2 is imperative for Liam Coen this offseason.

“The backup quarterback is different than a lot of positions. You need one. You need one to show up that the players trust, the coaches trust and can go in and there’s not as big of a drop-off as some might think,” Coen said this week during Kentucky spring practice.

Complicated Starts for Wade, Sheron

Liam Coen has an unusual benefit in the race for QB2. Two quarterbacks each have a start under their belt. There’s game tape available, but that experience is difficult to judge.

Kaiya Sheron was put behind the 8-ball on the opening play of his start vs. South Carolina. A botched trick play led to a turnover and a touchdown by the Gamecocks. Playing from behind, Sheron completed 15-of-27 passes for 178 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 10-point loss. Destin Wade was handed an even more difficult hand, tasked to carry the offensive load without Chris Rodriguez or an offensive coordinator against Iowa’s top-ranked defense in the Music City Bowl.

“I learned a lot during that bowl game. It was my first time in a game. That was fun, but I just learned a lot in making simple reads and knowing what kind of defense they’re going to be in,” Wade shared this week.

Hear from Destin Wade, Kaiya Sheron and more from this week’s Spring Practice interviews. Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to make sure you don’t miss anything from the Wildcats.

Who is taking the Quarterback Reps in Spring Practice

Kaiya Sheron was the first under center behind Leary at last Saturday’s scrimmage. There’s a level of familiarity between Sheron and his QB coach, who worked together during Coen’s first stint in Lexington. Kentucky’s offensive coordinator has seen physical growth from the Somerset native, but he needs to see, and hear, more from Sheron.

“I was always on Kaiya about demeanor,” said Coen. “Sometimes he’s just a little bit like that, and that’s okay. It’s alright. I just want him to have a little bit more gumption in a way in terms of, ‘Show these guys you can be the man with your demeanor.’

“Sometimes perception is reality and you need to give that off. Whatever you’re putting off to the guys and to the team is what a lot of people are going to believe. It’s just that confidence and trying to continue to get him to pull people together as a leader so guys will really want to play for him.”

Deuce Hogan replaced Sheron, but Wade was the best of the bunch during the open practice. He threw two of the best passes of the day through the high-powered winds and led his group on a touchdown-scoring drive to end the scrimmage.

“I thought Destin did a really nice job at the end of the scrimmage. He gave us life, in terms of some of the throws he made, the decisions he made. He made ’em fast and gave us that last drive that gave us a touchdown,” said Coen.

“I just felt confident going into it, just playing ball, having fun,” Wade added. “There’s some things I can tighten up, ball placement, stuff like that. Overall I think it was a good drive just to get down the field and score.”

A Potential Transfer Portal Scenario

The evaluation process is ongoing and will continue through fall camp. Those quarterbacks might not be the only ones in the mix.

Kentucky has scholarship capital to use in the second transfer portal window. Devin Leary only has one more season of eligibility. This spring quarterback compeitions are ongoing at Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia. If one of those former four or five-stars sees the writing on the wall, it may be a wise decision to enter the portal and look ahead to the future. Kentucky could be an attractive enough destination for a player to come in as a back-up for one season, then step into the starting role in 2024.

Kentucky has multiple options as Liam Coen searches for a backup quarterback. Kaiya Sheron might be ahead for now, even though Destin Wade probably provides the most potential on the roster. There’s a chance neither gets the nod this fall. No matter how it all unfolds, one thing is clear: Kentucky must be prepared if Devin Leary is unable to play.