Brennen Ward (UK Athletics Photo)
Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey is going to be Kentucky’s starting quarterback. Coach Will Stein targeted Minchey early in the transfer portal and has liked what he’s seen from the third-year player.
Stein was asked at UK’s Media Day if he was more curious about what quarterbacks or how they react when things go wrong.
“I think it’s all-encompassing. We obviously want to run the schemes and the plays that fit them, but whenever you fail, there’s an opportunity for growth. Not just at the quarterback position but every position,” Stein said. “On Sundays after games, we’ll what we call go to the doctor and figure out what we did well, what we didn’t do well and act accordingly to improve our program in all facets.
“I think you’ve got to put them in all those positions that you can. You obviously don’t want them to fail in games, but some of the biggest learning moments happen within a stadium and not just out at practice. But we’ll put them in compromising positions throughout the week to make sure he’s ready to handle those moments on Saturdays.”
Who will back up Minchey if he’s hurt or ineffective? That’s something Stein has to decide in the next few weeks.
Returnee Brennen Ward and Marshall transfer JacQai Long were here for spring practice along with Minchey. Since the end of spring practice, Kentucky has added quarterbacks Callum Wither who had been playing college football in Canada and high school signee Matt Ponatoski who turned down a professional baseball opportunity to play both football and baseball at UK.
“I feel good. I feel who we’ve added to the roster and being able to get Callum in there and Matt and Brennen and JacQai, I think it’s going to be a battle. There’s been nothing given in that room, so we’re excited about those guys to go out there and compete,” Stein said at Media Day.
Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan wants to see how the backup battle plays out this month.
“We’re going to put them out there on the field and let it go play out that way. Competition is really one of our core values in terms of what we want to be about,” Sloan said. I think that makes everybody better. We want guys that want to compete, and ultimately, it’s going to be decided on the field.
“Everybody in that room has been awesome. They’re all great guys. Love them all. Now it’s going to be about who can go out and who can move the team forward, score points, and make us the best offense we can for Kentucky football.”
6 Responses
I think in the end the Canadian Wither has the most experience and is a big football player at 6'4 230 pounds he will be big in the pocket. I think it's between him and Brennan Ward. Matt Ponatoski missed the spring and early summer workouts so he's the farthest behind. Next year it will be between Ward and Ponatoski to see who the backup is and whoever wins that battle will probably be your starter for 2028. Nawrot will be in his second year and Ponatoski will be in his third year. Whoever wins that battle will be the QB the next 2-3 years.
Ward was very underrated coming out of high school. I think he looked alot better than Stone Saunders and he was the backup to Boley last year. So he will probably end up being the backup but really anyone could step up and become QB2 we will also have a QB3.
I have no clue who will be the backup. IF needed, I just hope that Minchey doesn't get hurt or on the other hand, that we are so far ahead, QB2 can come in and finish the job. I am very anxious for the season to start! GO CATS!
I like your thinking UKKathy
I don't see Ponatoski ever getting on the football field. I believe his heart is with baseball. If he played any other position besides QB he might make playing two sports work. He will have to choose one to be the best he can be. Ky will go through the same thing with Nawrot next year.
Very, very hard to play two sports Jimmy. Going to be fun to see how this goes
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