Following the lead of past QB's, Hartline looks to improve on his past
By Staff
The standard by which their quarterbacks are measured is something a university strives for. The University of Miami used to be known as “Quarterback U”, and in recent years, the University of Southern California has taken that title. Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, John David Booty, and Mark Sanchez have created an environment that all other schools around the nation want to replicate.
This standard relies on top talents that are at the school year-in and year-out. When one ascends to greatness, that next star is waiting in the wings, ready for take the reins. Even “non starters at USC like Matt Cassel have made their mark. Something similar to this was occurring at the University of Kentucky. Fourteen years ago, Tim Couch chose to play for the University of Kentucky, being the first of three prolific Kentucky boys to man the QB position for the Wildcats. Big boy Jared Lorenzen followed when Couch was drafted as the #1 player in the 1999 NFL Draft. Woodson would eventually take over the starting quarterback position for the Wildcats during the 2005 season. Woodson’s departure after the 2007 season has left the Cats looking for a true leader at QB.
Rich Brooks’ ability to secure commitments from Indiana phenom Morgan Newton and Texas gun-slinger Ryan Mossakowski give all UK fans hope for the future. Current starting QB Mike Hartline will look to pull an “Andre Woodson” and overcome last season’s woes to bring the team to even greater heights.
With the new group of quarterbacks starting their Freshman year and the addition of possible QB recruits, I’d like to take a look at our past quarterbacks, their careers, and what they are up to now. Let’s take a look:
Tim Couch (UK QB: 1996-1998)
During his senior year in high school, hometown native (Hyden, Kentucky) was regarded as one of the best QB prospects and high school athletes EVER . John Elway had set the standard by which high-school quarterbacks were rated. Many at the time figured Couch to be the next coming of the NFL hall-of-famer. Having set numerous state high-school records (pass completions, touchdowns, and passing % for a season), Couch would go on to play for the University of Kentucky. During the 1996 season, his college career did not start out as expected for such a highly rated high-school player (#6 in the nation in ’95) as he was shuffled in and out of the lineup under Bill Curry. All of those struggles ended when Hal Mumme implemented his new offensive scheme for the 1997 season. Under a new “Air-Raid” offense, Couch would go on to set school and SEC records for the next two seasons. In doing so, Couch cemented himself as one the nation’s best quarterbacks, as well as a top pick in the NFL draft. During the 1999 NFL Draft, Couch was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the #1 pick overall.
Couch’s NFL career was not as spectacular as his high-school and college careers, as he took over the starting quarterback job for the Browns in just the second game of his rookie season. That’s where his struggles began, as Couch couldn’t grasp the same position in a totally new environment. With the Browns being an expansion team, Couch did not have a lot of help either. And it showed. As a five starter for the Cleveland Browns, he wound up having unimpressive numbers, throwing for 11,131 yards with a 59% completion percentage and 64 touchdowns, Couch’s NFL career would seemingly end abruptly only after five seasons.
After unsuccessful stints with the Packers and Jaguars, and alleged drug/steroid use in 2007, Tim Couch is out of football. He is recognized as a television and radio personality, as an analyst for Big Blue Sports Network, while also doing play-by-play for various UK football games. As recently as January, 2009, Couch was dabbling in politics and mulling over a decision to run for public office in the state of Kentucky. Couch could challenge Kentucky Rep. Ben Chandler in 2010, or make a run at the Secretary of State position in 2011. Another opportunity could come if current U.S. Senator Jim Bunning decides to retire as Couch’s name has been linked as running for the Senate. Regardless of the setbacks and achievements Tim Couch has had in his career, he laid the groundwork for great quarterbacks to play college football at the University of Kentucky.
Jared Lorenzen (UK QB: 2000-2003)
Lorenzen never received the hype during his high-school career like Couch did . Born in Covington, Kentucky, Lorenzen played high school football at Highlands HS. in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Despite not having the accolades that Couch had, Lorenzen went on to lead his team to one state football title and was named the state of Kentucky’s Mr. Football.
Lorenzen would begin his college career at the University of Kentucky during his freshman year in 2000. Due to head coaching turmoil, Lorenzen’s career started slower than expected. While under investigation for various NCAA violations, head coach Hal Mumme resigned and was replaced by Guy Morris. Lorenzen helped lead his team to a 7-5 record. Lorenzen had to deal with another coaching change when Morris left UK for the University of Baylor. With Morris leaving, Lorenzen was faced with the prospect of playing for his third head coach. Despite this turmoil, Lorenzen went on to set records for total offense, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
Lacking notoriety, other than his sizable stature (at times weighing in over 300 lbs.), Lorenzen went on to receive more nicknames during his NFL career than snaps. Lorenzen’s main claim to fame came most recently from winning SuperBowl XLII with the New York Giants. Although never to take a snap or see the field, Lorenzen was part of the team that pulled off one of the greatest NFL upsets ever when the Giants beat the New England Patriots .
Lorenzen was never the great talent the NFL so regularly sees, but did give his team and teammates everything he had. A tough, grind-it-out journeyman, Lorenzen now suits up for the AFL2’s Kentucky Horsemen, an arena based football league. Once again, lacking notoriety, Lorenzen enjoys his current lifestyle away from the wear and tear of the NFL. While playing for the Horsemen, Lorenzen gets to be a kid again in saying, “It’s actually the most fun I’ve had since high school. It’s different. It’s a lot more relaxed. I get to go out and enjoy myself. It’s a lot more laid-back. You’re not playing for the money, you’re playing for the love of the game.”
Lorenzen and his Horsemen beat South Georgia 66-63 to advance to the second-round of the AFL2’s playoffs. Lorenzen threw for one touchdown, while running for two more on the ground. Indicated by his statistics, Lorenzen is still wheeling and dealing but just not on the big-stage and in the lime-light.
Andre
Woodson (UK QB: 2003-2007)
While not born and raised in Kentucky, Andre Woodson lived the early life of a “military brat” moving to various assignments with his mother. He finally landed in Radcliff, Kentucky in 1994 and attended North Hardin HS and there, lettered in both basketball and football. He attracted the attention of UK and eventually signed with the Cats as a **** prospect.
A four year player at UK , it took Woodson longer to crack the starting lineup position than the other two aforementioned players. Woodson saw action in seven games during the 2004 season, starting only one game, as he was primarily a backup to then quarterback Shane Boyd. Woodson would eventually be named the starting quarterback for the 2005 season, where things only became worse. While throwing for only 1,600 yards and six touchdowns, it looked like Woodson’s starting job would be taken by backup Curtis Pulley after the Spring session in 2006.
Hitting the weights and becoming the Wildcats leader, Woodson went on to have a breakout season in 2006. Throwing for over 3,500 yards and 31 touchdowns, Woodson would lead a resurgent Wildcats team and program to some of its brightest moments in decades. For the first time in 22 years, UK won a bowl game, beating Clemson. in the Music City Bowl . Delivering a bowl win was something both Couch and Lorenzen never accomplished. He also led the SEC in passing yards that season and became only the second player in school history to throw for 30 or more touchdowns.
Woodson took his career at UK from the bottom to the very top in terms of quarterback play. In doing so, Woodson allowed himself the opportunity to be drafted into the NFL. His experience at Kentucky and his will to improve upon his skills brought him to where he is now. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Woodson was recently signed to a future contract with the team, where he’ll look to compete for a backup quarterback position to Eli Manning.
With Couch, Lorenzen, and Woodson all having illustrious careers at the University of Kentucky, UK fans and the nation’s expectations for quarterback play at UK have increased. While having an underwhelming season last year, Mike Hartline looks to do the same as his predecessors; improve upon the past. He must do so to keep expectations alive and to keep his own job. as Newton and Mossakowski are waiting in the wings to become the next elite UK quarterback.
Andrew Hardison is a recent UK grad and a contributor to WildcatBlueBlog
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