According to people much smarter than any of us, Towles is the #1 QB prospect in the SEC.

 

I believe this to be true, but with an asterisk.

 

*SEC quarterback play is severely down in 2014.

 

No Matthew Stafford, no Johnny Manziel, no Aaron Murray, no Conner Shaw, no A.J. McCarron, etc.

The kid has all the tools in the world, however, the body of work at this point is way to small to give a definitive answer on whether or not he plays in the league. If he continues to improve and progress in certain areas (mainly decision making and consistency) I definitely think he is headed for an NFL roster. However, to this point, he is far to inconsistent to make the leap. He played brilliantly against Miss St. but still missed a hand full of throws that he has to make (i.e. deep ball on first offensive series). This offseason will be critical for Patrick's development and maturation as quarterback. He needs to make a significant jump in consistency going into next season. If he does, I do believe he may consider leaving after his junior season, depending on the feedback he receives from his coaches and NFL scouts. Lets not forget that the NFL is and has been home to a myriad of QBs who were collegiate stars and "destined" for NFL stardom, but never made it past the practice squad or a role as a lifetime backup. There are only 32 of these jobs available in the world, with hundreds to thousands of QBs pursuing them. The odds are slim to begin with, but as long as he continues to progress, I have confidence that PT will get his shot at some point.

 

Side note: I think we should be having this same discussion about another Kentucky native, Conner Hempel. Since being named the starter as a Junior at Harvard, the kid has done nothing but light it up. He has worked with QB guru George Whitfield and has garnered the praise and attention from NFL analysts like Trent Dilfer. The kid also has NFL level talent, and given the recent success of former Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, I do not think it is out of the question that Conner also gets a shot in the league. BTW, sorry if there is already a thread concerning Conner and his NFL pursuits.

I wish Hempel well but you are concerned about a body of work yet mention he is lighting up the Ivy League.

 

Towles has what NFL teams are looking for: Body type, arm, and mobility. That's what NFL teams draft on more than anything and Towles will measure well. I'm not saying he will be an NFL starter but he will get an opportunity

 

Side note: I think we should be having this same discussion about another Kentucky native, Conner Hempel. Since being named the starter as a Junior at Harvard, the kid has done nothing but light it up. He has worked with QB guru George Whitfield and has garnered the praise and attention from NFL analysts like Trent Dilfer. The kid also has NFL level talent, and given the recent success of former Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, I do not think it is out of the question that Conner also gets a shot in the league. BTW, sorry if there is already a thread concerning Conner and his NFL pursuits.

 

I have zero doubt he'll be in a camp next summer.

I wish Hempel well but you are concerned about a body of work yet mention he is lighting up the Ivy League.

 

Towles has what NFL teams are looking for: Body type, arm, and mobility. That's what NFL teams draft on more than anything and Towles will measure well. I'm not saying he will be an NFL starter but he will get an opportunity

 

Hempel plays in the Ivy League, all he can do is play against the teams on their schedule, and to this point, he has done that at a very high level. Look at his numbers, they are impressive. That's all you can ask for. We can sit here and play comparison games all we want, but when it comes down to it they don't mean anything. NFL scouts are everywhere and I would guarantee you the majority of them know who Conner Hempel is. Just because he wasn't as highly recruited or touted coming out of high school, he has made the most of his opportunity at Harvard, and I truly believe he will be rewarded with a shot in the NFL. And FYI Hempel did have D1 (FBS) scholarship offers but chose to go to Harvard instead. A school that will set him up well for the rest of his life whether he goes on to play on Sundays or not.

Games like the one yesterday against Mizzou are exactly why we shouldn't be asking this question considering the limited body of work Towles has. This entire program has room to develop and putting the pressure of professional aspirations on one player before he has shown that type of consistency is unfair to him and the team, IMO.

 

As a UK fan and alumni, I hope Towles blows the doors off, but I think the most objective observers are still in "wait and see" mode with him. I agree with this approach.

He has the size, tools and potential. He has shown glimpses of being a great QB but also inconsistencies which lower his stock. My main concern at this point is will his body be in one piece by the time he declares. If Neal Brown keeps running him and doesn't keep him protected he could seriously get injured.

He is a prototype QB for NFL, but his decision process is not there you can say it's his first full year but he has played a lot of FB over the years. Seen where some said he needs to get rid of ball faster from what I've seen of him he throws before WR make cuts or even turn (could be pressure). I'm pulling for him but I'm begining to wonder if he will even be the QB at KY next year.

Best of luck PT

Maybe Arena

Really most of you don't get it. He has the measurables for the NFL, therefore, he will be on an NFL team. Not predicting NFL stardom but he will get drafted and make a roster. The NFL is more interested with a guys arm strength, size, and mobility than his decision making in a college offense as a redshirt sophmore.

Barker will have 2 years once Towles graduates. 3 if he leaves after next season.

 

That's assuming another QB isn't recruited

Towles likely will have to fight to keep his job going into the '15 season. Before we annoint him as a first-round draft pick, he needs to have big games vs. SEC teams with good defenses -- like Johnny Football beating Alabama on the road two years ago. Until then, his odds of being drafted are minimal.

Towles likely will have to fight to keep his job going into the '15 season. Before we annoint him as a first-round draft pick, he needs to have big games vs. SEC teams with good defenses -- like Johnny Football beating Alabama on the road two years ago. Until then, his odds of being drafted are minimal.

 

You mean like rushing for 100 and throwing for 390 vs the #1 team in the country?

You mean like rushing for 100 and throwing for 390 vs the #1 team in the country?

He had an impressive game vs. MSU, not so good vs. LSU and Missouri. Let's size up his performance at the end of his initial campaign as the starter. I'm cheering for the young man to succeed, as you are. I just think it's too early to be able to tell whether he might be an NFL QB.

You mean like rushing for 100 and throwing for 390 vs the #1 team in the country?

 

To be fair, MSU is dead last in passing yards given up.