Down the stretch of Kentucky’s spring practice, the race for UK’s quarterbacks spots has picked up steam.

Returning starter, senior Stephen Johnson, as the incumbent is the presumptive favorite to hold the starting spot. Johnson passed for 2,037 yards and added another 327 on the ground last season, and was the dual-threat trigger man behind Kentucky’s seven-win season. Head coach Mark Stoops praised Johnson for having an “efficient day” during the scrimmage, and there’s no indication that Johnson’s grip on the first position for the starting QB job has faltered.

But the race is proving to be more complicated than expected.

Highly touted junior QB Drew Barker is working his way back from a back injury that cost him almost the entire 2016 season. Barker, who was a 4-star recruit in 2014, was expected to start throughout last season, but after throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns in the opener, was hampered by his back, which was apparently a flare-up of a prior injury. He played the majority of the next week’s game against Florida, but struggled, and was pulled a few plays into the third game of the season. He did not return, underwent surgery, and was uncertain for spring practice, but is apparently impressing his coaches in limited duty.

During Saturday’s scrimmage, Barker saw action on a scripted 10-play drive, which ended in a touchdown. Coach Mark Stoops indicated in his post-scrimmage remarks that Barker “looked very good” in his performance and was “more comfortable than I thought he might (be) in a game-like situation.” Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran agreed that Barker seemed comfortable, and noted that while the plays had been scripted to avoid multiple deep passes, seemed pleased that Barker had pulled the ball and ran on occasion.

If Barker is healthy, he represents another significant possibility for the Kentucky offense, which ended up being very ground-based throughout the 2016 campaign.

Meanwhile, don’t count out redshirt freshman Gunnar Hoak, who gained valuable experience last season. Stoops said after the scrimmage that Hoak “has made a good progression” and praised him for being experienced and inspiring comfort from the coaching staff.

True freshmen Danny Clark and Walker Wood are also involved in the team’s spring practice, but both seem to be long-shots at this point to end up taking a major role in the 2017 QB competition.

Kentucky’s spring game is approaching on Friday, April 14, and seeing how Johnson, Barker and Hoak fair there should provide the best clue yet as to exactly how the trio of QB contenders will end up in Kentucky’s football’s own spring derby.