One of the issues that has arisen since the end of the season (i.e. particularly with Patrick Towles' transfer) is Kentucky's quarterback depth or lack thereof next year.
Minus Towles there is a rather thin depth chart. There's Drew Barker, Reese Phillips and there will be Gunnar Hoak. Here are some notes that I'd add:
-- Although Barker is the heavy odds-on favorite to win the starting job next year there are some who do believe Reese Phillips could push him at some point. I don't see Phillips winning the job but there have been more than a couple of people that told me, at one point, that Phillips considered a transfer. But before Shannon Dawson was let go, according to a couple of sources, he apparently told Phillips that he could have a say in the starting job next year.
-- The staff really likes Davis Mattingly. Many months ago I said I liked the walk-on quarterbacks that UK had brought on. It wouldn't shock me down the road if Mattingly can work his way into a scholarship. I'm not saying he'll be the starter, but I also think Mattingly is much more prepared to be a viable part of the depth chart than most walk-on quarterbacks are.
-- Gunnar Hoak will be a true freshman but one with that extra semester since he'll be an early enrollee.
-- Most significantly, sources have indicated that Kentucky may well be prepared to add a quarterback to next year's roster. 5th year transfer? JUCO? Recruit? I do not know. But I've heard enough beyond mere speculation and online talk to know that this is a distinct possibility, and I would even say that I suspect it will happen. Based on the way the issue has been spoken of I do believe it'll happen and I believe they may even have an idea as to who they're going to get. Once the offensive coordinator comes in there's a possibility that he could have an idea or a connection to get someone in to provide depth.
Minus Towles there is a rather thin depth chart. There's Drew Barker, Reese Phillips and there will be Gunnar Hoak. Here are some notes that I'd add:
-- Although Barker is the heavy odds-on favorite to win the starting job next year there are some who do believe Reese Phillips could push him at some point. I don't see Phillips winning the job but there have been more than a couple of people that told me, at one point, that Phillips considered a transfer. But before Shannon Dawson was let go, according to a couple of sources, he apparently told Phillips that he could have a say in the starting job next year.
-- The staff really likes Davis Mattingly. Many months ago I said I liked the walk-on quarterbacks that UK had brought on. It wouldn't shock me down the road if Mattingly can work his way into a scholarship. I'm not saying he'll be the starter, but I also think Mattingly is much more prepared to be a viable part of the depth chart than most walk-on quarterbacks are.
-- Gunnar Hoak will be a true freshman but one with that extra semester since he'll be an early enrollee.
-- Most significantly, sources have indicated that Kentucky may well be prepared to add a quarterback to next year's roster. 5th year transfer? JUCO? Recruit? I do not know. But I've heard enough beyond mere speculation and online talk to know that this is a distinct possibility, and I would even say that I suspect it will happen. Based on the way the issue has been spoken of I do believe it'll happen and I believe they may even have an idea as to who they're going to get. Once the offensive coordinator comes in there's a possibility that he could have an idea or a connection to get someone in to provide depth.
