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Kentucky’s Stephen Johnson is the SEC’s most underrated quarterback

By Collin Wieder

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) runs the ball against Vanderbilt Commodores cornerback Torren McGaster (5) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) runs the ball against Vanderbilt Commodores cornerback Torren McGaster (5) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stephen Johnson was pressed into the Kentucky quarterback job due to injury. He’s been brilliant going 4-1 putting the Wildcats into bowl contention.

As much as Kentucky basketball and March Madness go hand-in-hand, Kentucky football and losing in the SEC go hand-in-hand. The Wildcats are certainly not a perennial college football power. However, this season the Wildcats have a ray of hope in the form of quarterback Stephen Johnson.

Johnson became the Wildcats’ quarterback after starter Drew Barker injured his back against New Mexico State. At the time, the Wildcats were 0-2 and struggling offensively. Johnson hasn’t been pretty all year, but the offense isn’t costing them games either.

He’s thrown for just 920 yards, but carries a five-to-two TD-to-INT ratio. He’s helped open up a talented and deep run game because of his ability to run. The Wildcats’ rushing attack rushed for 1,379 yards and 13 touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry.

Embattled head coach Mark Stoops needs to be bowl eligible to keep his job. Johnson gives him the best shot of achieving that. The biggest thing the Wildcats needed to do was win the winnable games and Johnson has done that. The wins are by some of the slimmest margins, but who cares if you’re in the win column.

The Wildcats’ haven’t had a truly consistent starter at the quarterback position since 2010 with Mike Hartline. I’m not saying Johnson is going to throw for over 20 touchdowns or up to 3,000 yards, but he’s more than capable as a starter. He hasn’t always been a clean player with five lost fumbles, but he makes enough plays to get the job done.

Desert to Lexington

Johnson came to Kentucky via junior college transfer. He quickly established himself as a dual threat quarterback at College of the Desert. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns in just 10 games, while rushing for 429 yards and eight touchdowns. His play earned him seven scholarship offers. The three-star quarterback decided to join the Kentucky football program and the journey to SEC stardom began.

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Even when Barker returns, Stoops should stick with Johnson. If he wins this week against a 2-5 Missouri squad then he will be one win from being bowl eligible. Barker wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire either. It’s understandable that winning in the Kentucky football program is difficult. It’s a basketball school by far and the football program doesn’t have much tradition. That’s why it’s so impressive to see him win so many starts early on.

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