Kentucky Football Player Preview: Is Terry Wilson the future at QB?

After Stephen Johnson’s graduation and Drew Barker’s departure, the Kentucky Wildcats are left without a starting quarterback.

But if you happened to be on Twitter on December 10th with junior college transfer Terry Wilson chose Kentucky, you would think the savior of Kentucky football has arrived.

Terry Wilson

Position: Quarterback

Measurements: 6’3”, 205 lbs.

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

School: Garden City Community College in Garden City, KS

Recruit Rankings: No. 16 dual-threat QB in 2016 (committed to Oregon); No. 2 dual-threat junior college QB, 34th overall

Wilson comes to the Wildcats with high expectations. Following Stephen Johnson’s success, Wilson fits the same mold and seems like an upgrade in many ways.

“Terry Touchdown,” as he has come to be known, rushed for 5 touchdowns at Garden City Community College last season and gained 518 yards on 4.1 yards per carry. He passed for 2,113 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season for the Broncbusters while throwing only 11 interceptions, completing 57.6% of his passes. He also punted twice for a total of 61 yards, for what it’s worth.

Wilson was a 4-star recruit out of high school, and he flipped his commitment from Nebraska to Oregon in September of 2015. Upon his arrival in Eugene, he was buried on the depth chart and realized he was unlikely to ever see any playing time.

Also receiving offers from Baylor, Indiana, and Florida, Vince Marrow landed Wilson, and by all accounts, Mark Stoops and offensive coaches Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw are thrilled to have him.

“That’s a big get for us, there’s no doubt,” Stoops said after signing Wilson. “... He’s physical, but he’s got great pocket presence as well. He has a very, very strong arm. We’re excited about that.”

The quarterback competition is still not completely over, as Wilson is competing with sophomore Gunnar Hoak, who has also been impressive. But while no official starter has been named for the Kentucky offense this fall, everyone around the program seems to be assuming Terry will be the guy with fall camp having concluded.

He had a so-so showing in the Blue-White spring game (10 for 24 for 131 passing yards, 14 rushing yards on 5 carries), but as he’s grown more comfortable in the offense over the summer, the belief has grown that he’s the best man to lead Kentucky’s offense.

“Obviously the first thing that jumps out at you is the dual threat, but that’s not why we recruited him,” Stoops said. “We’re not going to change our style of offense.”

Wilson also brings a great deal of experience to the table. He played in 11 games for the Broncbusters, leading them to eight wins in his only season there and earning Jayhawk Conference Player of the Year honors.

If the Wildcats are going to find success this season, production from the quarterback position will be essential in taking some pressure off of Benny Snell and the running game.

Will Terry Touchdown be the guy to lead the Wildcats into the season? Is he the one that will take this program to the next level?

While it remains to be seen if he is, expect Wilson to get the starting nod this week when Kentucky opens the season against Central Michigan.