Kentucky Wildcats football: Too much angst over Drew Barker

There’s nothing quite like watching your kids grow up. Anyone reading this that doesn’t have a child can’t fully understand what I mean by this, just like I couldn’t 19 months ago. You feel like you’re promoting a greater cause and that you are nurturing an extension of yourself and there’s an unmistakeable pride that goes along with it. Kentucky fans, maybe more than any other Fanbase, seem to feel this way about prospective athletes from inside the bluegrass state. In basketball, guys like Richie Farmer, John Pelfry, Travis Ford, and Marquise Estill have always held a special place amongst UK fans. In football, Tim couch, Craig East, the Johnson brothers, and many many others have been long time fan favorites. Maybe more than any other position in any sport, the Kentucky grown quarterbacks seem to be the most important in this regard. The recent history of this started with Tim Couch, and then carried over to Shane Boyd, Jared Lorenzen, Andre Woodson, and even current sophomore Patrick Towles. There are those fans out there that would rather see Towles starting at quarterback than Smith or Whitlow even if the other players are obviously better. The truth is, there really isn’t anything wrong with feeling this way. Just like in many other walks of life, sports fans want to promote, protect, and adore their own before others. That’s just the way it is. Now, northern Kentucky’s own Drew Barker has stepped up to be the next in-state signal caller to attract serious attention and Kentucky fans are rabid to get him.

Barker Has been called “the biggest potential recruit for Kentucky since Tim Couch.” While I am certain there are some feel that way, it is absolutely I’m fair to put those type of expectations on a 17-year-old kid. Many fans are acting as though to Barker is an absolute must get for the Kentucky football team to continue seeing success years into the future. I would tell those fans to relax. While Barker is very good, there’s no question about that, the situation is not quite as dire as some would make it out. If Parker were to choose South Carolina tomorrow instead of Kentucky, the world will continue to turn from Mark stoops and his staff. The simple fact of the matter is, the Kentucky currently has four scholarship quarterbacks, none of which will be older than a sophomore in 2013. There are three (Smith, Whitlow, Towles) that have played an SEC games as true freshmen, and a surprisingly talented freshman (Phillips) that really stood out in the spring game. ANY Quarterback recruit those signed in 2014 class will have one hell of a battle on their hands of the time they get to campus. It really doesn’t make any difference if they enroll in the spring semester or wait until the rest of the class arrives in the summer either. Barker, or any other 2014 quarterback, is not a necessity in this class.

Now, with that being said, Drew Barker is a very talented player. He could provide Neal Brown with the type of quarterback he can mold his offense around over the next four years. Barker has a big time arm, and surprisingly nimble feet for a player his size. We all know this. But Fansided to realize that Drew Barker is not going to single-handedly alter the future of Kentucky football. In the event that Barker chooses South Carolina, Kentucky still in good shape with other four-star quarterbacks, some of which are actually rated higher than Barker is. There is also a distinct possibility that Kentucky could opt to skip signing a quarterback this year altogether. As good as Barker is, it is important that Wildcat fans step back and look at the big picture. While he could be a very talented quarterback at UK, we can’t let the fact that he is a good ole Kentucky boy cloud our view of things.

If the young man picks Kentucky tomorrow, then it is great news. Neal Brown will have his first quarterback that he has recruited personally to build his offense around for the foreseeable future. Barker can join his friends already going to UK and come play with the Ohio recruits that he has come to know so well. I’m sure Thaddeus Snodgrass, Mikel Horton, and Darryl Long will be ecstatic to have their quarterback of the future decided on. He will likely redshirt his first season and should be in the thick of the QB competition in 2015.
In the event that he spurns Kentucky for the Gamecocks, it will still be ok. He is a smart young man that has made the choice he feels is best for his long-term future. There’s nothing wrong with that. It does NOT mean that the UK coaches didn’t give it their best or that the momentum from Stoops’ hire has died. It doesn’t mean that Kentucky won’t sign D.J. Gillins (the #1 dual threat QB in the country) down the road anyway. Most importantly, it does NOT mean that UK fans should harass Barker or anyone associated with him about his decision.

We love our Kentucky boys, but this is a clear case where everyone is better off taking a deep breath and looking at the grander scheme.