Red-shirt sophomore quarterback is anxious to show his team, his coaches, and the Big Blue Nation that he is the man for the starting job. Three years into the highly touted recruits career as a Kentucky Wildcat, and his stats are meager. He has accounted for a total of 363 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions at Kentucky. That's it.

Barker has been known more for his off-the-field behavior than he has for what he's produced on Saturdays. But at a kickoff luncheon yesterday in Lexington, quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw had nothing but glowing remarks about his quarterback:

If you want to be a leader, you have to be a leader all the time, on the field and off the field," Hinshaw said he told Barker, who was named the starter in April after 15 spring practices. Hinshaw pointed to Barker’s team-best 3.75 grade-point average this spring and his desire to make other positive changes off the field. "You’ve got to lead by actions," Hinshaw said. "You’ve got to lead by being the first one in the weight room. They’ll follow you, but you’ve got to do it. And he has done it.



Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article92661672.html#storylink=cpy

Patrick Towles was also a highly touted local quarterback that didn't pan out. Mark Stoops has a lot riding on Barker's success this season Fans have grown restless. While they appreciate all of the new bells and whistles in the new football facility and a renovated stadium, they want to see the results on the field. Kentucky's offense has a lot of talent and it needs a talented QB to run it.

If Barker doesn't succeed, athletic JUCO transferStephen Johnson and four-star freshman Gunnar Hoak are waiting in the wings.

Tweets of the Day

You must realize that fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create Don't misunderstand, danger is very real but fear is a choice — De'Aaron Fox (@Swipathef0x) July 30, 2016

From what I've read and seen of De'Aaron Fox, fear isn't in his vocabulary.

Bam Adebayo was also doing this nearly a year ago. You can pick your jaw up off the floor now. #BBN https://t.co/pIccKGkeXP — Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) July 29, 2016

First lines going down on the new #UKFTC right now...almost FOOTBALL TIME IN THE BLUEGRASS! #WeAreUK #Finish pic.twitter.com/dm7deiwBwi — UK SPORTS TURF (@UKsportsturf) July 29, 2016

YESSSSS!!!!

President James Ramsey may be the most selfish alleged "public servant" that I have ever seen in this state — Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) July 29, 2016

Kentucky Football

Does OC Eddie Gran and QB Coach Darin Hinshaw have a need for speed? Mark Stoops has already had two offensive coordinator's promise as much and they both failed to deliver in that regard. Stoops was quick to say, As fast as we can go as long as we're getting first downs and points." Amen.

John Hale of the Courier-Journal writes that confidence is the name of the game for the football team this season. Stoops and his coaches have shown a great deal of the C word at all of the luncheons and appearances so far. This needs to translate to their players and on the field of play.

Former Kentucky football player Bud Dupree is looking to make a big splash in his second season with the Steelers. He is down 20 pounds and is in the best condition of his life. Coach Mike Tomlin stated that the NFL is not a big man's game, but a highly conditioned game.

Kentucky Basketball

Want highlights of Devin Booker's rookie NBA season? Look no further than coachcal.com for an extensive look.Booker emerged as a surprise star for the Phoenix Suns last season and followed that up with a phenomenal showing in the summer league. He is going to be a star for years to come.

Tyler Ulis appeared on KSR yesterday and talked to Matt Jones about the 2016-2017 team:

I was hanging out with them yesterday and I feel like they’re really confident in winning #9, but they have their minds set and they’re working really hard. I feel like they have a lot of talent and a lot of great players. I was just sitting down with Isaiah [Briscoe] and Malik [Monk] yesterday talking about the team and I feel like they’re really good

Really wish Ulis was going to be a part of this team.

Team USA cruised over Venezuela in an exhibition game last night, 80-45. Demarcus Cousins had seven points and 12 rebounds for the Red, White, and Blue.

Rumors were swirling that five-star forward and Kentucky target Kevin Knox was going to be a part of a blockbuster package deal to Duke with Wendell Carter and Gary Trent, Jr. Knox's father said that notion is "like Siberia far" from the truth.

Sports Around the Country

A week after Eddie Gran's ill-timed joke at the Kentucky football women's clinic, Texas A&M Aggies assistant coaches have been suspended for two weeks following tasteless jokes at a similar event. Speaking as a 34-year-old man, I've made it this far in life without being a misogynistic pig. It's not that hard.It really isn't. There is no excuse for comments such as these directed towards women attending an event that is supposed to be geared towards them and their enjoyment of college football. I say that coach Kevin Sumlin did the right thing in suspending the coaches. Good for him.

Steve Spurrier is returning to Florida in a different kind of role, this time as an ambassador and a consultant to the athletic department. This comes as no surprise. Spurrier's heart has always been in Gainesville and his return to Florida was imminent. But one has to wonder if he can stay away from the football program and let Jim McElwain do his thing.

Bill Belchick had an appropriate response to the ludicrous question as to whether or not Tom Brady would be the starter after he comes off his four-game suspension.

And the beat goes on for the embarrassment that is the University of Louisville President/Board of Trustees fiasco. Yesterday a judge blocked Governor Matt Bevin's move to dissolve the old Board, citing that it was an abuse of power and illegal. So where does that leave them? Does the old Board come back? Are the new Board members jobs null and void? Is James Ramsey the president again? It's all a mess and the only one really profiting from it is Ramsey. Either way it goes, the weasel is going to be paid a handsome sum of many, remain as the Foundation president, or even get his old job back. This corrupt individual is a joke.

Random Quickies

OK, I have to talk about the new Netflix series "Stanger Things". It came highly recommended from multiple friends, so I decided to start it last night. I watched four episodes and had to force myself to go to bed. It's a throw back to 80's style horror with elements from Stephen King, Stephen Spielberg, John Carpenter, and the X-Files. The storytelling is great, the characters are fantastic, and the soundtrack is amazing. Stop what you're doing and watch it.

Florida mosquitoes are likely spreading the Zika virus. So , yeah that's not good.

The world was supposed to end yesterday.

There is an outcry from the Asian Community over a new movie starring Matt Damon called The Great Wall. In it, Damon's European character helps the Chinese build the Wall to fend off nasty beasties. Obviously, there weren't any white people in China circa the 7th century BCE when the wall was started. There is no record of any European influence over the Wall or it's construction. It is viewed as one of the Wonders of the Ancient World and a proud monument to Chinese engineering and ingenuity.Even though the movie is completely fictitious, I can see why the Chinese are pissed.