We've Only Seen the Beginning of Chris Westry's Greatness

by:Nick Roush04/20/16

@RoushKSR

[caption id="attachment_198353" align="alignnone" width="362"]UK Athletics UK Athletics[/caption] After Saturday's Blue/White game, Mark Stoops said what we've all been thinking about for quite some time.  "When I see the ball going down the field on his (Westry's) side, immediately I'm like, 'that's not going to be complete.'" Chris Westry doesn't see it so simply, but he appreciates his coach's confidence.  "Even though he says that, I still have to go out there and do it.  It's not a given," he said after the Spring game. However, that was exactly the case Saturday afternoon.  Stephan Johnson was wise enough to not throw it to his side often, but when Westry had the opportunity he made sure Tavin Richardson never had a chance to see the ball. https://vine.co/v/itTprtEOqme The returning All-Freshman SEC selection has used the offseason to get bigger.  So much so that Stoops joked about him becoming a linebacker.  He's kidding, but only kind of.  I could feel my face emote a "WTF" when I stood next to him for a postgame interview.  If you thought he looked like an impressive specimen before, he'll make you think twice. But his physical gains aren't what he took away from the Spring. "It's really different.  As a freshman I was a little more nervous, but now I'm a little more settled into actual football.  I'm able to see more of the game.  I'll be able to understand what's going to happen before it happens." Last year he had to often rely on his athleticism in order to make a play.  Now that he understands the nuances of the position -- body positioning, hand placement, receiver tendencies -- he anticipates becoming a consistent playmaker on the outside. "You already had the getting your feet wet aspect of it.  It's already over.  So you have to keep the car in drive and go faster," he said.  "They're not expecting me to make freshman mistakes any more.  It's time to grow up and be able to do great things. " [caption id="attachment_198355" align="alignnone" width="362"]One more view of that deflection from UK Athletics, because One more view of that deflection from UK Athletics, because "Why Not?"[/caption]

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