UK coach Joker Phillips
By LARRY VAUGHT
During his appearance at the Louisville Quarterback Club in July, Joker Phillips told me that he would not go into another season with a Wildcat quarterback — something he could count on when UK had Randall Cobb.
With Maxwell Smith slated to be the starting quarterback and Morgan Newton his backup, Phillips is also trying to decide whether Patrick Towles or Jalen Whitlow, both true freshmen, will be the No. 3 quarterback.
“We’re working both those guys a little bit. I don’t think it’s important to do it today. If something happens, we’ll have to get a feel for what direction to go in. Right now, it would be a toss-up who goes in the game first,” Phillips said Wednesday.
He says no matter whether Towles or Whitlow is No. 3, he will find a way to play him.
“Why would you waste a kid’s redshirt year if you’re not going to play him. Again, we’ll make that decision in a couple weeks. You don’t want to get too deep into the season. But we are not going to go through this thing with two quarterbacks. Not going to do that. We all saw how that went last year. You can get caught, then late in the season you don’t want to use a guy’s redshirt year. So we’ll make that decision after a couple of games, which of those guys we decide to play,” Phillips said.
But wouldn’t the easy decision be to make Whitlow the Wildcat quarterback — after all, he’s one of the better athletes on the team and can run and throw like a Wildcat QB must do — and redshirt Towles to give him that fifth year of eligibility?
So will Whitlow be the Wildcat QB?
“I don’t know. You’ll have to wait to see that. I told you we’d have one; I don’t need to tell you who it’ll be,” Phillips told me when I asked him at the Wildcat QB. “When we’ve got some different personnel coming in and out of the game, I want some of it to be a guessing game – for everybody, not just you guys but everybody.”
What about more than one Wildcat guy? Perhaps redshirt freshman Bookie Cobbins could also fill the same role even though he’s been moved to receiver.
“We will have one (Wildcat),” Phillips said.
Just don’t ask him who.
7 Responses to Joker Phillips mum on who will be the No. 3 quarterback and/or the Wildcat QB
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And the Wildcat QB is ….. waiting …. waiting …. Jalen Whitlow! Truth is I have no idea. It seems a redshirt may be pulled if 3 QB’s are needed going into the season. There will be criticism regardless. Morgan can run effectively … straight ahead. He is a big, strong young man. I have no idea who has the quickness and speed to take the corner though. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see us run right at the UL defensive front especially if it is as wet as predicted.
Bill when Joker was talking about this yesterday I had the same thought with Jalen Whitlow. I think he will be our #3 and brings alot as a verstaile player we can bring ins ome unique packages with such as the widlcat! This kid is going to be dynamic even if he werent to stay at QB during his tenure at UK. He is a force. I like to see the change in how Joker his going about things this season. Having worked behind the scenes at my college football program. I have learned to read coaches rather well something tell me in the Words of Coach Minter the cats are dialing something up. I know there are going to be alot of suprises and perhaps Joker will take a walk on the wild side and play a little less conservative especially with the youthful energy mixed with the experience come Louisville and beyond.
Louisville Like to play man to man so the key is going to be stopping that early one opening up the pass and run and taking the oppurtunties when we can!
Good piece, Larry — and good for Joker! Too, I don’t imagine you’re surprised about that last part, Larry. I’m GLAD Joker is being “mum.” Oh, sure, the media naturally want the “news” to share, but it’s better for the program for us to do some surprising. Again, I remember how Charlie Strong surprised us last season by moving Dominique Brown to the running back position, plus using him in the Wildcat — I can still “see’ him running all over the field at Commonwealth! GO JOKER — don’t tell Larry and your other media friends, ha! GO CATS! BEAT THOSE CARDS!
Yeah, no problem with Joker not telling. I kind of like him being a little spunky/funny with us. Believe his team does, too. That’s the Joker I have known for years and think was missing a big last year
I agree that sometimes it is good for a coach to not reveal everything. It is certainly good that we have more competition at QB this year. And it is good that we have 2 or three choices at the Wildcat position. I think the Wildcat package is important for us but I hope that we do not have to rely solely on this package. It could provide an exciting dimension to our offense but Whitlow & Cobbins at wide receiver could be exciting as well. I am looking forward to seeing us turn up our offense a few notches as Lee Ann has suggested.
Just keep them guessing Joker! ! I also like surprises for the oppositin. That 3rd QB is SUPER important. If the O-line is not much improved WE MAY NEED THAT THIRD GUY ! !
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
Its good to keep them guessing never show all your cards to those Cards or to anyone. Thats what has made alot of programs succesful you dont always show all your playbook! always have something new coming game to game!