The Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Northwestern Wildcats in this year’s Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 29 after putting together a 7-5 regular-season record.

However, during these early bowl practices, the focus is on the 2018 season, particularly when it comes to quarterbacks, as the Wildcats will need to replace starter Stephen Johnson, a senior, next year.

Drew Barker was the starter in 2016 until he got injured, so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him start again in 2018, but co-offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw said other guys are getting looks, too (via 247Sports):

“Stephen and Drew both went with the ones today,” Hinshaw said. “I had Gunnar (Hoak) get about equal reps. Give them more and more reps, all of those guys. Obviously the spring competition, all that, that’s what all this extra practice is. It gets you ready. As we define it, as we get closer and closer to the bowl, obviously we’ll decline those reps for those guys and increase them for Stephen and Drew who are the one and the two right now.”

Johnson admitted that the quarterbacks behind him on the depth chart are works in progress, but said he’s seen some major improvements already:

“They’re all doing really, really well,” Johnson said. “Especially today. Everyone had a couple of missed throws here and there, but everyone is really progressing. What I love about this group, we’re all really close together. There’s no strife. There’s nothing that holds this group down. I’m looking forward to seeing who’s going to get that spot next year.”

Soon, the Wildcats will shift their focus back to this year’s bowl game, which Johnson will start, but there is still some time for a potential 2018 starter to make a strong impression.