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SEC Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Chris Williams (44) during the second half at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisville 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Chris Williams (44) during the second half at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisville 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky Wildcats, 7-6 (4-4)

Which QB best fits Kentucky’s offensive identity?

Few preseason publications dedicated much real estate to Stephen Johnson or Benjamin Snell. And why would they? Drew Barker emerged as the starting quarterback late in 2015 and entered last season with high expectations, and running backs Stanley Boom Williams and Jojo Kemp was expected to be one of the SEC’s top one-two punches in the running game.

Neither Johnson nor Snell — who finished with 1,091 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns — saw significant action in Kentucky’s 0-2 start to the season. But both emerged as key members of the Wildcats offense as the team won seven of its final 10 regular season games.

An unfortunate back injury limited Barker to just three starts, of which the Wildcats won only one. Though he had surgery in November, Barker was able to return to the practice field this spring. He was held out of the spring game but is expected to be full speed this fall to compete for the starting job.

Of course, winning that job won’t be easy. Johnson excelled after he took over against New Mexico State following Barker’s exit. He threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns against the Aggies and finished with 2,037 passing yards, 13 TDs and six interceptions in 12 games, and added 327 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Johnson directed the Wildcats offense that averaged 511.7 yards of total offense over the final six games of the regular season — four wins, including an upset over Louisville and hard-fought losses to Georgia and Tennessee. It’s a very small sample, but for comparison purposes, Kentucky averaged 279 total yards with Barker in control in losses to Southern Miss and Florida to open the season.

Barker is expected to graduate from Kentucky this fall. Though he has publicly pledged to stay with the Wildcats and intends to win back the starting quarterback job this fall, having his degree in hand would make Barker a valuable target as a graduate transfer. Expect plenty of speculation on the topic, especially since Barker has two years of eligibility left.

Plus, despite Barker signing with the Wildcats as a highly recruited prospect, the offense took off under Johnson, and Johnson’s athleticism adds a dynamic dimension to the Kentucky offense it was missing in the first two games last season. Therefore, it’s very possible Barker wouldn’t be the best fit for the Wildcats in 2017.

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