By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
The new offense has been installed. The next step for Kentucky offensive coordinator Eddie Gran is “honing in” on fundamentals and techniques as the Wildcats wind down spring workouts.
“We’ve got to get better at what we do, first steps, finishing, becoming tougher, executing on every single play,” Gran said Thursday. “That’s what we’re looking for now. All the red zone (offense is) in, all the third downs (are) in and so now let’s put it together. Let’s start being more consistent from here until we end the spring game.”
Gran has been pleased with the progression of quarterback Drew Barker, the team’s lone returning signal caller. Barker, a redshirt sophomore, is adjusting to Gran’s offensive style and “getting more comfortable in the pocket.”
“We get a wide rush,” Gran said. “He’s stepping up (and) he’s not panicking. I saw him hit a couple check downs (Thursday) in the red zone, which was really good. It’s us or nobody down there. So I saw some really good things. I thought he took a step up (Thursday).”
Gran, who has coached in the Southeastern Conference at Tennessee, Mississippi and Auburn, said Barker has the talent and desire needed to succeed in the conference.
“I think he’s got a chance to be a really good quarterback in this league — I really do, because he wants to be great,” Gran said. “He’s really locked into what we’re doing. He’s trying to be a sponge — he’s trying to do everything right. It’s frustrating for him when he doesn’t. But that’s what you want your quarterback to do and I think he’s being a leader at the same time.”
Barker’s lone drawback is the lack of game experience. Barker led the Wildcats to a win over Charlotte in his first collegiate start late last season. He threw for 364 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
“He didn’t play much last year,” Gran said. “So I think when you see him now and you see him in a couple years, you’re going to see a really, really good quarterback, a guy that can lead this team. So he’s getting pushed by Stephen (Johnson), which is a great thing. And Stephen’s made some strides, too. It’s really good to see that those guys are competing.”
Gran said Barker has been consistent throughout the spring and also likes the way Johnson is battling with Barker behind the scenes.
“He’s not panicking — he’s encouraging,” Gran said of Barker. “He’s a guy that’s been even-keeled, consistent. They know he’s working at it. They know what he’s doing on and off the field and he’s doing everything right as a quarterback should. I think Stephen is bringing that to the table, too. I love his demeanor out there. It’s never too high, never too low. That’s what you want from your leader.”
Although Barker and Johnson are progressing at the desired pace, Gran isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback just yet.
“You know, that’s the good part about it is coach (Mark) Stoops gets to make those decisions,” Gran said. “I want competition. I really do, so we’ll let coach make that decision and we’ll see as we go. If there’s a huge step, then you name a guy. If there’s not, then you let them compete. I think that’s where we’ll go with that one.”
As for the rest of the offense, Gran said the Wildcats haven’t reached the proverbial peak and hopes Kentucky is in full up-temp mode by the start of fall workouts.
“We’ve got all summer,” Gran said. “Now they know it. If you think about all summer as they install it themselves when they’re out there and they’re going. Now it’s not going to be their thinking. Now they’re going to be able to line up faster, they’re going to be able to play faster, so the play should come faster. The signals, they’ll get those fast. Everything should be faster, and if it’s not then we aren’t doing a very good job coaching.”
Game tracker: Blue-White Spring Game, noon, Saturday, April 16. TV/Radio: SEC Network, 630 AM WLAP.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com and nkytribune.com. He can be reached on twitter @keithtaylor21