Good young man, glad he's getting his chance. Look forward to following him and the Cats as they hopefully experience a successful season.

Redshirt Barker. You have Phillips and Smith to back him up while not burning a year of Barkers eligibility to be a backup. It was the expected pick though.

So what does that mean for 2015? Towles has 2 years left right?

So what does that mean for 2015? Towles has 2 years left right?

 

Is he a redshirt sophomore now or is he heading into his junior redshirt season?

Redshirt Barker. You have Phillips and Smith to back him up while not burning a year of Barkers eligibility to be a backup. It was the expected pick though.

Smith will never play again, shoulder is just that bad, even after surgery.

Big congrats to Patrick. There is joy in "Mudville".:clap:

So what does that mean for 2015? Towles has 2 years left right?

 

It means UK will have plenty of options. They will return an experienced starter, a backup who saw some action, and a redshirt freshman that is highly thought of and has had a year to refine his skills and mature physically and as a QB.

If the returning starter was successful roll on. If he was miserable move on. If results are mixed open up the competition and earn your coaching salary in making wise decisions.

 

Towles currently has three years eligibility remaining.

Edited August 20, 201412 yr by ColdHard

Those 3 years of eligibility are why you have to redshirt Barker. Don't waste him

If Barker never gets into a game, that is a Red Shirt year. They don't have to officially declare it, correct?

If Barker never gets into a game' date=' that is a Red Shirt year. They don't have to officially declare it, correct?[/quote']

 

Correct

Also, I don't get the thinking behind why people have been so low on PT prior to this. Either people have short term memories, or they cast people aside too quickly. PT was an All American, just like Barker. He played in bigger games than Barker. He led 3 teams to state championships. Sometimes it takes time to adapt to a game. He played FOUR games as a Freshman, never entered w/ good field position, and then sprained his ankle. Last year, they red shirted him. B/c he didn't beat out Whitlow last year, people wanted to put him out to pasture??? He was only a Sophomore. Some guys need more time. Not everyone is going to come into a DI program and set the world on fire. What happens if the same thing happens to Barker this year? He gets in a couple of games, does so-so (but in actuallity pretty well for a Freshman) do we move on to the next guy?

Also, I don't get the thinking behind why people have been so low on PT prior to this. Either people have short term memories, or they cast people aside too quickly. PT was an All American, just like Barker. He played in bigger games than Barker. He led 3 teams to state championships. Sometimes it takes time to adapt to a game. He played FOUR games as a Freshman, never entered w/ good field position, and then sprained his ankle. Last year, they red shirted him. B/c he didn't beat out Whitlow last year, people wanted to put him out to pasture??? He was only a Sophomore. Some guys need more time. Not everyone is going to come into a DI program and set the world on fire. What happens if the same thing happens to Barker this year? He gets in a couple of games, does so-so (but in actuallity pretty well for a Freshman) do we move on to the next guy?

 

I think it probably had something to do with his well documented flaws in his throwing mechanics.

Great choice by Coach Stoops. Neal Brown said it correctly; Patrick can make all the throws and he is a WINNER. A WINNER is something Kentucky really needs. Go get em young man; have a great season.

Well said!

I love Barker, but I hope he red shirts, sits 2 years, and then takes over his junior and senior years. That will mean that PT was successful and the Cats have turned a corner.