KSR College Interviews Patrick Towles

As part of the new KSRCollege.com website (which officially debuts Monday), the College crew is doing a profile on each of the new 2012 UK Football commitments. The series begins with this one by Rick Noush, on Patrick Towles, who was interviewed yesterday:

Patrick Towles is this year’s Mr. Football in Kentucky. The 6’5 230 lb. quarterback led his Ft. Thomas Highlands team to an undefeated season en route to another State title and as of today, was just named a Parade All-American. He threw for 3,280 yards this year and 42 touchdowns, while also rushing for nearly 600 yards and 15 more touchdowns. Next year, he’ll be taking his talents to LexVegas, where former Mr. Football winners Tim Couch and Jared Lorenzen have made a name for themselves. In my first interview EVER, I got to talk to Kentucky Football’s most hyped recruit about his future with Big Blue Nation.

1. This year, your school went undefeated and won State, you won Mr. Football among many other awards this year. What memory will you take with you from this year?

“Winning my first state starting as a quarterback, and doing it with all of my friends. I’ve been growing up with these guys since third grade, you know we have lifelong friendships and its great  to go out on top with them.”

2. Your stats this year flat out impressed me, you averaged close to 3 passing TDs a game and 1 rushing TD a game. Are we going to see those fancy feet make any big plays running while your back at QB?

“I wouldn’t say I’m a rushing quarterback; I’m definitely a pocket guy. Most of those plays were when the pocket would break down and I’d just go for the first down. I’m quick enough to escape the d-line, but I’m definitely a pocket passer.”

3. Now that your senior season has come to an end, what are you doing now to get ready for next year?

“Playing basketball right now, actually had a game earlier tonight, but after basketball I’m going to start working out and I’ll get a playbook and start studying that. Actually this year for Spring Break I’m coming down to Lexington to work on learning the playbook and work out with the team; just doing what I have to do to get my foot in the door to work for that starting job.”

4. UK fans were clearly excited when they saw you committed to UK. Why UK? What was so intriguing compared to some of the big football programs out there?

“It was a culmination of things, you know it’s great to play in front of 100,000 every week in front of big name coaches, for big game programs, but you know it’s about more than that. It’s about the team, the players, the coaches, it’s about the managers, everyone in the program, and you know when the crap hits the fan, you know those guys will be there for you. I’ve built great relationships with Coach Sanders and Coach Phillips and I’m excited, because what playing football is about is the people around you.”

5. That being said, what are the fans going to get excited about when they watch you play?

“I don’t know one thing that I could really say, but I do pride myself how I can throw the ball down the field 70 yards or so, and I can pretty much put it where I want it. In high school, people aren’t used to running down the field 70 yards, so I’m excited to put my arm to the test.”

6. You’ve won Mr. Football and you’ll be joining the likes of Tim Couch and Jared Lorenzen who have won Mr. Football and have gone on to great successes at Ky. But there have also been guys like Curtis Pulley that never reached their potential in college. Does this put any more pressure on you to succeed, or is it just something that comes with it?

“It’s a little bit of both. There is always pressure on your quarterback in a big program, but I like doing that, competing for the starting job, getting a lot of hard work done; but there’s always pressure, as a quarterback it comes with the package. You get the spotlight, so you have to know how to deal with it.”

7. What is your personal goal that you hope to reach while your time at UK?

“Before the season ended, I wanted to beat Tennessee, but I guess continue that streak. I think we can do that, we definitely have a shot to beat Florida, and I ultimately want to have a good time; football’s fun. I know people will call me crazy but I want to compete for a national championship. The SEC has done it the last 5 years and will keep doing it, and I think we can put something together to make that shot. I think and believe we have the guys that can do it. I mean that’s why you go to a big program like this.”

8. Other than all of the beautiful women here at UK, what are you looking forward to most next fall?

“My dad’s family is from Lex, and I’ve been down there 600 or 700 times and I just can’t wait till it is my home. It’s been practically my second home and I can’t wait to just wake up there every morning.”

9. You get the call to come in, who do you want to beat the most?

“I’d have to say Louisville, because we didn’t beat them last year. I never liked Louisville and Tennessee growing up, I was always a UK fan, and I know a Louisville cheerleader so that’d make it even better.”

Follow me on twitter @RoushKSR because you can never follow to many KSRCollege writers.