Backup Kentucky quarterback Reese Phillips announced he was transferring to pursue more playing time.

Phillips appeared in three games last year as a redshirt freshman. He failed to appear in any games this season after tearing his Achilles in the spring.

Despite that little experience, Phillips was in line to compete for the starting quarterback job next season for the Wildcats. Starter Patrick Towles graduated early and is leaving the program. That would leave only redshirt freshman Drew Barker for Kentucky.

Barker appeared in five games with two starts, throwing for 364 yards. It would seem that would make it ripe for a quarterback competition this spring that Phillips would certainly have been a part of.

It would seem though Phillips did not like his chances or knew he would not get playing time ahead of Barker or someone else on the roster. He specifically said he was transferring to seek more playing time.