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Kentucky Football: Top Headlines Entering Spring Practice

By Frank Spencer

Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Drew Barker (7) passes the ball against the New Mexico State Aggies in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Drew Barker (7) passes the ball against the New Mexico State Aggies in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Football
Dec 31, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) runs in the first quarter as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Antonio Simmons (93) defends at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

The Quarterback Competition Heats Up

This is a given. Everyone knows how the quarterback situation turned out last season. Drew Barker was the odds-on starter going into Spring Practice in 2016. Unfortunately, a back injury that required surgery sidelined the Hebron, Kentucky native. Finally, enter Stephen Johnson.

Johnson, in his first year as a Kentucky Wildcat, carried the load under center in relief of Barker. Johnson threw for 2,037 and 13 touchdowns in 2016. Although it wasn’t an impressive stat line, the California quarterback performed well when pressure set in leading Kentucky to it’s first bowl game since 2010.

This Spring will be interesting. Drew Barker, a highly rated recruit out of Conner High School in Hebron, Kentucky, is considered to be one of the top quarterbacks to come out of the Bluegrass State since Tim Couch. Look for things to get interesting as Drew Barker has started to participate in on-field activities.

Barker has started throwing the football and will look to compete for the starting spot on opening day. Other things to keep an eye on is the development of Gunnar Hoak as well as the status of former Ohio State commitment, Danny Clark. Clark flipped to the Wildcats and enrolled at Kentucky in January.

Don’t be surprised to see Johnson named the starter early on. But, once Barker becomes more comfortable after his injury, he will have something more to say about that.

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