By LARRY VAUGHT
What did freshman Jalen Whitlow of Alabama do to elevate himself above Patrick Towles, the record-setting freshman quarterback from Highlands who was Kentucky’s Mr. Football last year when his team won a third straight state championship?
“It’s different. Different quarterback. Again, we have to get the third guy ready, and I just think a guy (Whitlow) that can win with his legs and some of our passing game, I just thought he would be the guy we’d go with,” Phillips said of the decision to make Whitlow No. 3 on the depth chart. “It has nothing to do with the future, but we just thought we had to make a decision, and we made the decision to go with Whitlow.”
Whitlow says there are no problems between him and Towles — who Phillips says likely will be redshirted — even though they are competing for the same position.
“We get along fine. We talk just like regular teammates,” Whitlow said. “He can throw the ball well. He has a strong arm.”
Stronger than you?
“I don’t know. We have never really had a contest, but I know he can throw the ball pretty far and is really a good quarterback and teammate,” Whitlow said.
Towles was touted as being better than just a quarterback. He was the marquee player in UK’s 2012 recruiting class and helped persuade other players to come to UK as well. He also indicated at the time that he would accept a redshirt year — something former UK quarterback Jared Lorenzen of Highlands — hoped would happen.
But Towles also expected to compete for the starting job, not the No. 3 spot. Perhaps Phillips should have been a bit stronger with his reasons for redshirting Towles — like not wanting to waste a year of eligibility by using him sparingly as a backup.
Quarterback is not an easy position in the SEC. Not only is it hard to learn, but in most games only one quarterback gets to play. And Towles is not used to not being on the field. Same with Whitlow. He would like to be playing as well — which is what a coach should want from his players.
Kentucky is deeper at quarterback than perhaps it has ever been and that’s going to make for some interesting scenarios in the years ahead.
21 Responses to Joker Phillips on why Jalen Whitlow moved ahead of Patrick Towles at quarterback
Leave a Reply
Blue Zoom Radio Show
Polls
Loading ...Choose Your Favorite!
THE DUMMYING DOWN OF A GREAT KENTUCKY QUARTERBACK
He has been attending University of Kentucky football games at Commonwealth Stadium since he was 5 or 6 years old. He’s the recruit who when constantly asked if he would decommit from the University of Kentucky stated, “I would etch my signature in stone today if I could do it.” His success on the football field has been really just been short of phenomenal. Three state championships while being named the most valuable player in two of those championships. During the State Championship game of his junior year he rushed for 5 touchdowns in a half against Christian County and ran through and by 4A Player of the year, KY football commit Bubba Tandy and Mr. Kentucky Basketball, current LSU basketball player Anthony Hickey. Some say this quarterback never competed against anybody. That didn’t seem to keep Parade Magazine, ESPN and Max Preps from naming him to their All-American Teams.
Something very strange is occurring at the University of Kentucky regarding this Kentucky boy. A Parade and ESPN All American who turned down offers from Louisville and Arkansas to name a few has now been relegated to the scout team and was told by a member of the Kentucky football staff that he has potential. Quite a judge in talent don’t you think? Admittedly, the staff at UK has stated on airwaves that this doesn’t mean anything regarding his future, but that for now this once great heralded quarterback will play only in an emergency. So in essence if Max, Morgan, and Jalen go down there will be no other option but to bring on one of Kentucky’s very own. When asked why the other freshman over Towles Coach Phillips responded because of his legs and he can throw. Certainly Jalen who is 6’2 210 and runs a 4.58 is quite a bit faster than the 6’6 245 Towles who ran a 4.62 forty over the summer.
I’m afraid as a fan that we may lose, if not the next Tim Coach something possibly close to him. Despite the win, the feeling at Commonwealth Stadium last Saturday Night was as empty as I have felt in two decades.
To the staff at the University of Kentucky. Please be mindful not to mistake a young player’s kindness, politeness, and eagerness to belong for weakness or that loyalty somehow runs one way. To turn your back not only on a “Mr. Kentucky football” winner, but on someone you’ve labeled the face of the program sends a very strong message to every Kentucky boy dreaming of playing for the University of Kentucky. Unfortunately, we lost “Mr. Kentucky Football” winner Lamar Dawson and will unlikely get the services of this year’s sure to be winner James Quick. Let’s not lose one we already have.
Is a tough position for Patrick. He says and does all the right things, but know he wants to play. Coaches also have to make some hard decisions. I agree 100 percent that if staff was not going all in with Towles this year, then he should be redshirted. Don’t want to waste a year just taking a few snaps. Also agree that Whitlow is probably a lot better than most anyone anticipated.
Since we are not allowed to talk to Towles, everything about his feelings is just speculation. but he was a rare talent when I saw him and a talent UK does not want to waste for sure
If this isn’t an over reaction to a guy redshirting, then I’ve never seen one. I hope Towles becomes the best QB ever at Ky. But he as to win the job on the field. He doesn’t just get it because he’s been going to games since he was 5. Our staff has to make a call on a starting QB in about a 2 week time frame at the beginning of fall practice. Towles was competing with a guy who has been thru 2 spring practices and is obviously proving Joker has made the right decision on who to start thru 2 games. Is it really in Towles best long range interest to have him blow a whole year on a few plays at the end of games? I think not and would even bet Towles is less upset than you. And one more thing about QBs in college, esp. the SEC or other BCS conferences, most teams only play 1 QB and most freshmen QBs will redshirt. If you do a little research you may find that lots of 4 and 5 star HS QBs redshirt and don’t even play until a couple years down the road. There is nothing strange going on at UK. A S phenom was beaten out by an older, more experienced player who in his own right is a very fine QB.
I think Towles is savvy enough to understand that he is much better off red shirting this year. It insures him time to learn the offense without the possibility of getting really hurt. If Smith continues to improve he will start again next year and Towles will get some playing time to build his confidence. By the time Towles is a sophomore Smith will be a senior and Towles should be pushing Smith for the starting job. This scenario pretty much insures to Towles will have his Junior and senior year to himself as the starting QB without the punishment experienced by most QB’s at this level. By that time, he should be really something to watch. I may buy my tickets back!
However, if Joker (or whoever is coach at that time) manages the QB situation like he did with Newton and Massakowski, we could lose Towles and I wouldn’t blame him.
Joker is thinking long term. Whitlow maybe used now but that doesn’t imply he will always be in the Qb position.
Joker did Towles a favor by tagging him a RS. Good chance Joker will not be Patrick’s coach when he sets to throw!
Larry I enjoyed your article even though I think many of your readers and most of the responders missed a significant point you made in the article,
“But Towles also expected to compete for the starting job, not the No. 3 spot. Perhaps Phillips should have been a bit stronger with his reasons for redshirting Towles — like not wanting to waste a year of eligibility by using him sparingly as a backup.”
In reading between the lines a little it sounds like there may be much bigger issues here than just potentially redshirting.
U are right. I don’t think towles is as good as people think. He was dead last out of all the QBs
QB controversies are always great fun for fans and media. Not so much fun for the players. Just nice to see UK having a logjam of talented guys, and another one on the way in Reese Phillips
No matter how bad people want to see towles and want whit low to move he is better than all the qbs even Max. Sanders knows this so can’t put it on Phillips
Sometimes we worry about the depth chart too much. Should Towles even be on the chart if he has a red shirt? It is clear now that Joker plans to follow through with the red shirt year for Towles & I hope this happens. Even if we lose all 3 of the other QB’s to injury late in the season we should not waste his redshirt – (Convert a WR ??)
Larry is right – Joker could have been a bit stronger with his reasons & I hope that he has discussed it more thoroughly with Patrick. Remember that Patrick understood that he could be redshirted when he came.
It is great to have enough depth at QB to even have this discussion!
Go back and read Larry’s interview with Morgan Newton. Newton specifically states that the wildcat package is “Whitlow’s thing”. As SEC play begins, look for Whitlow to be in the game running the wildcat package as well as occasionally lined up as a WR. The wildcat package is only effective if the defense doesn’t know it’s coming, and if Whitlow runs the wildcat every time he comes on the field than they will know its coming. This will do two things, first it gives a year separation between Whitlow and Towles. Secondly, it provides an avenue for Whitlow to move to WR.
I have no doubt that eventually Towles will be the starting QB at the University of Kentucky. If I were to bet, I would say that Whitlow will run the wildcat throughout his time here, but will become a full time WR, exactly like Cobb. Towles will be the starting QB as soon as Smith leaves the program (either by graduation or draft).
From what I have read about Towles he could be the greatest QB to ever play at KY. But he is also smart and he has some pretty smart people back home advising him. As bad as he wants to play, he knows in his gut that the SEC is not a place for on the job training for Freshmen QB’s. To Throw away a whole year of eledgability to play a few plays is not good personnel management.
IMHO Whitlow is a great athlete along the lines of a Cobb and when Towles enters the season next year, if he is a good as I suspect he is, Whitlow will switch positions to make way for Towles. Smith will start next year just because of experience but I think Towles will push him.
Be forewarned however you could ruin the kid if you throw him into the SEC meat grinder this young; expecially with a team so young at all positions. Towles will need a good team around him to succeed.
This is funny. The SEC is not Kentucky high school football you have to prove it here. No one cares what u did in a lack of talent high school team. Will say this once more check out the program and competition whit low comes from. He is a true QB not wildcat runner. He’s proven that at practice and scrimmage. He is UK QB future. Just watch
fan fan I’ll be glad when Barney comes back on. You’re killing us during the commercial breaks.
Everyone in the media and blog sites were touting Towles as this years starter, savior of Kentucky football, and an NFL prospect. Now we learn he has been relegated to 4th string on one of the worst offenses in D1. It is very disappointing that all the hype has not panned out yet. The program needed a big break and didn’t get it. Either Joker can’t judge talent or the young man has not performed to the extremely high expectations that were placed upon him. Whitlow is quite the physical specimen. He has the arms and shoulders of a man with big strong legs. He looks very athletic. Can he throw the ball? Good luck to the football Cats and I hope Joker can right the ship before it is too late.
Worst offence in D1? I have not looked up the stats. but I am guessing that we are in the top 20 or 25 in passing yards per game. This is not the offense of 2011!
This offense has not faced a defense yet. SEC starts next week.
You are right – Most of the other SEC teams played weaker teams the 1st game or two as well.
Hate to be the barer of bad news to towles fan but he’s not Tim he may be a decent backup or mid major player at best. Wish him luck in his football career
Morgan Newton was Mr. Football in Indiana 2009, AP 1st team all state, Sporting News All American, Parade All American, Gatorade Player of the Year, and Coaches All SEC Freshman. Look where he wound up. An educated guess, not where he thought he would be when he commited to Kentucky as a freshman.
Reese Phillips and another highly recruited freshman quarterback join the mix in 2013. Add two more quarterback recruits in 2014. Tough situation for Towles. He deserves a spot to play before his junior year at some school, and rightfully or not, it doesn’t appear its in the plans to happen at UK.