Kentucky Football: Dorian Baker Learning From Past Mistakes
Kentucky football continues to move forward with plans of building a new identity. The latest player to change his tune: wide receiver Dorian Baker.
Since last making a bowl game in 2010, the Kentucky football program has been marred by inconsistency. Some have chalked it up to talent, but the feeling on campus is that it’s deeper than that.
Players have carried themselves as bigger than the program, which head coach Mark Stoops has seen enough of.
Stoops, along with other members of the coaching staff, are building a new team identity. That started with quarterback Drew Barker, who’s handling himself in a more humble manner.
According to Jennifer Smith of Kentucky.com, wide receiver Dorian Baker is learning from his mistakes and becoming a man both on and off the field.
"“I can’t fake it like I’m a grown man on the field and then be so childish off the field,” he said last week. “It was time to grow up.”“I was being a kid; the childish way was my way,” he said. “I realized I can’t do things my way. There’s repercussions to that.”"
That’s the benefit of the sense of community in college sports.
Baker is one of the most gifted wide receivers that Kentucky football has ever seen. He’s a tall and gifted playmaker who showed flashes of brilliance during the 2015 season.
Exhibit A:
Unfortunately, he’s also run into his fair share of issues off the field.
With a solid support system around him, Baker has seen the flaws in his ways. He’s now committed to being as great off the field as he could potentially become on it.
The other player experiencing a personal makeover, Barker, sees Baker’s maturity.
"“He’s done a great job of being more about the team and focusing on his role,” said longtime friend and starting quarterback Drew Barker, who has gone through his own maturation process. “Coach always says ‘know your role.’ He’s done a great job of blocking, running to the ball after plays even if it’s not thrown to him.”"
That last part will be the most important for the Wildcats in 2016.
A season ago, Kentucky had one of the most inefficient passing attacks in the country. Despite the inconsistency at quarterback, Baker finished with 55 receptions for 608 yards and three touchdowns.
With Barker under center, Baker has a legitimate opportunity to flirt with 1,000 yards receiving.
Beyond his ability to make plays will be the need for Baker to lead by example. He needs to play from whistle to whistle, regardless of whether or not the ball is thrown his way.
If he does, then Barker and Baker could be Kentucky’s new dynamic duo.
must read: Drew Barker: The New Man On Campus Is A New Man Within
All signs point towards the dawn of a new era of Kentucky football.