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Kentucky Football: Highlighting The Spring Quarterback Competition

By Frank Spencer

Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) drops back to pass the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) drops back to pass the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Football will enter the season with six Quarterbacks on the roster. The focus for many fans during the spring has been geared toward who will lead the team in 2017.

The 2016 campaign began with Drew Barker at the helm. An early back injury forced the coaching staff to throw junior college transfer, Stephen Johnson into the mix. Johnson was efficient in leading Kentucky Football to a bowl game last season. The big question this spring, is who will be the guy once Drew Barker comes back from injury?

The leading candidates for the job would have to be Drew Barker, Stephen Johnson, and a late push by Redshirt Freshman Gunnar Hoak could be something to watch out for as well.

In a post on the Kentucky Sports Radio forum from Freddie Maggard, a former Kentucky Football Quarterback himself, he gives his reasoning for all three to be named the starter. In a great analysis of information given from coach’s from practice reports, Maggard had put together some great points as to what actions might be taken as Spring Practice comes to an end. It should be noted that Maggard predicts Johnson as the starter at this point in the Spring.

"I can’t imagine a scenario in which Johnson is not the starting quarterback come September 2nd. As a proven entity that is reportedly improving on a daily basis; he brings consistency, leadership, balance, and composure. -Freddie Maggard, KSR"

Competition is a good thing

Heading into the season with many options at different positions is a good thing for Mark Stoops and his staff. As the Spring progresses, different names will be thrown around as ones and twos when it comes to the post-spring depth chart. No position is more vital to a football team than it’s starting quarterback.

A starting quarterback needs to have certain attributes and characteristics in order to be successful.

  • Good Arm, Great vision, and leadership
  • Ability to move around in the pocket
  • Playmaking ability
  • The Voice and demeanor to represent the team as a whole

Some of these aspects of a player are difficult to guage when it comes to practices and scrimmages. The true test of one’s ability to lead a team comes within the realm of live action. The only Quarterback to show that he is capable to lead a team and win games has been Stephen Jackson. The Senior to be will enter the season as having the most experience on the field.

Drew Barker on the other hand would likely have been the starter for the entire season but a season ending injury plagued him from showing his true potential. An early loss against Southern Mississippi certainly didn’t help Barker’s resume as the starter.

Can Gunnar Hoak Make a Push?

Also, dark horse candidate, Gunnar Hoak is gearing up to take a stab as a starting SEC quarterback. Although the redshirt freshman hasn’t seen any game action, some believe he might actually have the best arm of all three candidates. Hook will be one to look out for in the next year or two as someone who wants to be the signal caller.

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With Barker coming back from back surgery, he will be limited in reps this spring but has already impressed coaches to this point. Johnson on the other hand, has also been the leader of the clubhouse, so to speak. Whether or not Hoak sees any time as the starter is yet to be determined, but the experience gained will put him in a great position for the future.

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