Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Football: Tim Couch Praises Drew Barker

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kentucky football is trusting quarterback Drew Barker to lead its resurrection. Former Kentucky star Tim Couch believes Barker can succeed in doing so.

The Kentucky football program is placing the burden of ambitious expectations upon Drew Barker‘s throwing arm. The sophomore quarterback will look to lead Kentucky out of mediocrity and into a bowl game.

Former Kentucky star quarterback Tim Couch is liking what he’s seeing out of the sophomore sensation.

Couch played for Kentucky from 1996-97 to 1998-99. During that time, he became such a college football superstar that he was selected at No. 1 overall in the 1999 NFL Draft.

According to Jon Hale of The Courier-Journal, Couch sees big things in Barker’s immediate and long-term future.

“I like Drew a lot. I like Drew’s leadership. I like his leadership qualities. He has the intangibles you look for in a quarterback. He just has to go out and do it. He doesn’t have a whole lot of experience. He’s played in a few games, but nothing steady. He’s going to get his chance that he’s been waiting on. I’m excited to see what drew is going to be able to do, but he’s a talented kid. He’s got a big arm, he can push the ball down the field. He’s tough. The guys respond to him in the huddle, so I’m looking for big things from Drew.”

That’s quite the seal of approval.

Couch won the 1998 SEC Player of the Year award. He was the first Kentucky football player to win the award since Sonny Collins in 1973, and no Wildcats star has done it since.

Barker may or may not do so before his collegiate career ends, but he certainly has support in turning the organization around.

Head coach Mark Stoops recently spoke about how confident he is in Barker. Co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw touched upon how Barker has rebranded himself.

The question is: can Barker follow in Couch’s footsteps as a dynamic star under center?

If so, the Wildcats will be contending sooner than later.