If there’s one word to describe the development of Drew Barker this spring, it’s maturity.

And it’s not just since a year ago when he was mentioned in a police report. Barker has come a ways since the end of the 2015 season, when he wasn’t named the starter at quarterback despite the transfer of Patrick Towles.

“Drew is really, really mature now,” wide receiver Jeff Badet told the Courier-Journal. “He’s like a whole different person than when he first came. He’s got a lot of confidence now.”

Added new offensive coordinator Eddie Gran to Lex18, “I think what you see from Drew is a guy that has accepted his role. He wants to be great and he’s really locked into what we’re asking him to do.”

For the first time in the Mark Stoops era at Kentucky, the Wildcats have a known starter at quarterback. And while Barker is one of the more highly touted UK quarterbacks in recent memory, he doesn’t necessarily have to be the second coming of Tim Couch for the program to return to a bowl. Andre Woodson and Mike Hartline, for example, won bowl games for Kentucky in the past decade.

If Barker’s maturity isn’t enough, Gran has several running backs to build the offense around.

Backup running back Sihiem King established himself in the spring game to challenge fellow backup Jojo Kemp as a complement to starter Stanley “Boom” Williams. King rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, including 84 yards on nine carries against the starting defense.

King made people sit up and take notice as he’s behind Williams and Kemp, who each have more than 1,000 career rushing yards, and third-string Mikel Horton. Barker even called King his biggest surprise of the Blue-White Spring Game.

“What I really like about him is he’s really got good vision,” coach Mark Stoops told the Courier-Journal. “We know he has some ability in the open field, when he gets some space, and you saw that today – but I thought his vision on inside runs was really good to see. I just see growth. He’s a nice complement to some of the other backs.”

Tight end C.J. Conrad also looked to excel in his expanded role, and as a presumed red zone target. And Gran admitted that backup quarterback Stephen Johnson, known for his running ability, could be used in special packages designed for him.

The one question for Stoops and Gran is development of young or inexperienced offensive tackles, most notably Tate Leavitt, a junior college transfer. Former walk-on Cole Mosier is listed as the starter at left tackle coming out of spring.

There was plenty to like coming out of spring. Barker took control of the new offense. He rebounded from a bad decision on an interception and responded with a long touchdown strike — a quick six the Kentucky offense has lacked.

“I like the way the game played out,” Stoops told the Lexington Herald-Leader. “I think you want to have some offense. You want to have some fun. You want your fans encouraged walking off the field.”

Barker left encouraged as well, describing the spring as a good starting point, one they hope ends with a bowl game in 2016.

“We have some players with some skill and some experience,” Stoops told the paper. “That makes a big difference. So I’m more confident in our team. … We’re moving in the right direction.”