Kentucky Football: Patrick Towles Transferring

The Kentucky Wildcats have announced that junior quarterback Patrick Towles intends to transfer. Head coach Mark Stoops has confirmed the news via a press release.

"I thank Patrick for everything he’s done for our team," Stoops said. "I understand his decision and support him. He truly gave everything he had and I wish him nothing but the best."

KSR's Matt Jones is also reporting that Duke may be a landing spot for Towles, who started the first 10 games of the 2015 season, but had an up-and-down campaign that led to him eventually being benched in favor of redshirt freshman Drew Barker. It will likely be Barker who opens 2016 as UK's starting QB. Towles will complete his degree in political science in December and has one season of eligibility remaining wherever he goes.

"I would like to thank the University of Kentucky for giving me the opportunity to achieve my childhood dream of playing quarterback for the Wildcats," Towles said. "The last four years have been ones that I will truly cherish for the rest of my life.  Although I wish my time in Lexington could have ended another way, I’m eternally grateful.  I’ve decided to transfer to play my fifth year at another university.  Thank you to Coach Stoops, Coach (Shannon) Dawson, (athletics director) Mitch Barnhart, my teammates and the Big Blue Nation for allowing me to achieve my lifelong dream. I will truly bleed blue ‘til the day I die."

Towles' 2015 season totals featured 183 completions in 326 attempts (56.1 percent) for 2,148 yards and nine touchdowns. He finishes his Kentucky career with 427 completions in 759 attempts (56.3 percent) for 5,099 yards and 24 TDs. He rushed for 353 net yards and 11 touchdowns.