Patrick Towles runs against Boyle County. (Clay Jackson photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Since it’s only about two months before Kentucky opens the football season with a must-win game at Louisville if the Wildcats hope to salvage a respectable 2012 season, there is still not a consensus on who will be UK’s starting quarterback.
It could be senior Morgan Newton, an effective replacement starter for an injured Mike Hartline in 2009, a backup to Hartline in 2010 and a starter in 2011 before he was ineffective and injured.
It could be sophomore Maxwell Smith, who showed flashes of brilliance after taking over from Newton last season but was also injured and ineffective at times.
Or it could be true freshman Patrick Towles of Highlands, Kentucky’s Mr. Football last season and perhaps the best in-state quarterback product in 20 years.
But who should it be? Or who will it be?
That’s why I decided to ask former UK quarterback Dusty Bonner to make a case for why each player should be the starter. I didn’t ask him to pick a starter or explain who he thought was the best player, but merely to make an unbiased case for why each player could be the starter.
Patrick Towles
He was a Kentucky prep sensation and led Highlands to three straight state championships. He threw for 3,820 yards and 44 touchdowns with just one interception his senior year and also ran for 589 yards and 15 scores. During his career, he threw for 7,429 yards and 73 touchdowns and ran for 1,718 yards and 38 scores.
“Truthfully, Towles comes in very highly touted and a kid like that will always get fan support. He is a freshman with a big name,” Bonner said. “He can play foot loose and fancy free. Everything he does will be icing on the cake. He’s so young. He’s got all the tools and size anyone could need.
“I never watched him play a full game. Personally, I think the best thing that could happen to any quarterback is to be redshirted. I don’t like taking a kid and throwing him in the first his freshman year. A lot of playing quarterback is confidence. You go out as a freshman and play on talent alone and people will get excited about everything he does.
“It might be just me, but for a quarterback’s career, I think it is best to be redshirted as a freshman. I know Towles is a big body and probably better prepared than most to play in college, but give him a year to let his body mature and get his mind up to speed because it is different in college. Don’t set him up to where there is a possibility of failure and run the risk of messing him up for his career. It’s not worth it.”
Next: What factors Bonner thinks should be used to pick the starting quarterback.
15 Responses to Why Patrick Towles should be Kentucky’s starting quarterback against Louisville
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Like Dusty, I had originally thought that it would be best for Patrick to redshirt -
(Best for him and best for our program in the long run)
However, Jim made a good point in a previous article – That Towles may not stay for four years. If that happens then why waste a redshirt year if we need him now? Patrick is a special talent & I can’t wait to see him play.
I remember being upset when we did not get Zeke Pike – I am so happy that we have Patrick instead!
Can’t wait for football season! – Go Cats!
If the kid is really good let’s go with him. What do we have to lose?
um… the best in-state QB prospect in the last 20 years? HAHAHA um… Brian Brohm ring a bell?,what a joke
Don’t risk this kid getting hurt especially against this Louisville team. Charlie Strong is building a MONSTER defense and UK’s offensive line is thin and inexperienced. Look for UL defenders in the backfield before the RB’s get the ball. It will be ugly. UL-35 UK-6
Going to be really fun to see what happens with all the quarterbacks
We have two good looking quarterbacks…play them both. If we’re going to lose, then lets get some experience for both of them so that at the end of the season we can go for an upset or two. Put em in a shot gun and let em through it!
I am hoping that Towles gets to play at least a quarter a game in the first few and see if he is a gamer. By the way, the great ones don’t redshirt, they get eased in to playing time. The best talent since Couch? If he is, he needs to get his chance on the field.
Towles was pulled early in a lot of his games, to keep from running up the score. Had he played the whole time, he may have broken some passing records.
Please start him in first game of the year at Louisville. I think that is a great idea, we’re hungry.
I remember the last time I sat next to a bunch of cocky UL fans. Kentucky was up 21 to zip and the Card fans didn’t open their mouth the rest of the game.
let,s go & get them cats,def.& offense should be, will be ready, & going all the way for the long haul this time , we are uk fans & support the team all the way.
Redshirt the kid unless absolutely necessary or he blows away the competition in the fall.
i see everyone sleeping on jalen whitlow. he is the best QB on campus–just wait and see
really anxious to see him play. Hope you saw our story on him
jalen whitlow i promise is the best QB
did not see your article / story on jalen whitlow