Mark Stoops on Kentucky’s offseason QB competition: ‘I feel confident that we’re going to improve’ at QB
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Spring football is set to begin in Lexington this week as the Wildcats will hit the practice field for the first time in 2018 on Monday.
Prior to the team hitting the practice field, head coach Mark Stoops held his introductory spring press conference. Kentucky is scheduled to open spring practice Monday and conclude the spring session Friday, April 13 with the Blue and White spring game.
Arguably the biggest unanswered question regarding Stoops’ team this year is who will start at quarterback for the Wildcats. Last season’s starter, Stephen Johnson, is out of eligibility leaving the team with sophomore Gunnar Hoak, redshirt freshman Danny Clark and sophomore junior college transfer Terry Wilson to battle over the starting position this spring.
Taking that into consideration, it’s no surprise Stoops was asked to share his thoughts on his program’s signal callers during his first media availability of the spring.
“Yeah, it’s going to be hard to say there. That’s going to take some time. I tell you, I’m very impressed with the way they are throwing the football,” Stoops said. “You just look at the talent and you look at the way they are spinning the ball, and you know, it does jump out at you at times and I think all of us would agree for us to take it to the next level, we need to be more efficient at throwing the football.
“We need to throw the ball better, and that’s not just from the quarterback, and you know I’ve always said that but it’s so true. We need to — we need to grow up and have some guys outside and some guys at wide receiver that make some really competitive plays that could separate and get open and I think we’re going to be fine at the tight end position, although we’re very thin right now in the spring.
“I think we have some guys that can create some opportunity in the pass game and I’ve been impressed with the quarterbacks and just their talent, their arm talent and the way they throw the ball and their poise and they have worked really hard. I feel good about it. In particular, Gunnar (Hoak) and Terry (Wilson). You know, Danny (Clark) is running right now, doing some good things, and getting just as many reps as the other guys, but — and you see his flashes at times. But we’ll see where it goes here this spring.”
Later in the press conference, Stoops was asked about the necessity to have a QB that could be utilized in run-pass option plays, as Johnson was last year. If so, many may assume the favorite to land the job is Wilson, as he comes into the program as one of the nation’s top dual-threat junior college prospects. However, according to Stoops, all the QBs on the roster have the ability to run when necessary.
“We will absolutely continue to build off the good things that we’ve done. All the quarterbacks that we have in our system can do those things,” Stoops answered. “I think where you saw Stephen really make some big plays, we all have over those two years, where when things broke down, and he had good instincts to get really positive yards when nothing was there.”
The Kentucky coach also noted how difficult it is to simulate how effective a runner a QB could potentially be in practice, considering they don’t get hit by the defense.
“We cannot go live with our quarterbacks. You cannot let them get a blind shot and get hurt and I’m not going to do that,” Stoops continued. “So I think it just — that quarterback situation is definitely going to need some time to work its way out. And look, you know, — who has it figured out?
“I feel confident that we’re going to improve at that position. As much as we love Stephen and what he’s done for us, I think we’re going to improve.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
