Take Two: Is QB Joey Gatewood headed to Kentucky?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites or a regional analyst.
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THE STORYLINE
By all accounts, Auburn quarterback transfer Joey Gatewood had an excellent visit to Kentucky over the weekend and some things had to stand out.
First is Kentucky’s need for an established quarterback since converted receiver Lynn Bowden Jr., has been thrust into that role because of injuries at the position.
Terry Wilson will be gone soon as well so Gatewood would have a pretty clear path to the starting job in Lexington.
Secondly, Gatewood should fit well in Kentucky’s offense and that could be another draw to the Wildcats. He would also be able to stay in the SEC for an emerging program led by coach Mark Stoops, who had been mentioned for the Florida State opening but that has seemed to cool down in recent days.
Gatewood battled five-star freshman Bo Nix at Auburn for the starting quarterback job heading into this season and Nix won out. Now the former four-star QB is looking for his new home.
Florida, Florida State, Mississippi State and others could get involved with Gatewood, but is Kentucky the perfect spot for him and will he pick the Wildcats?
FIRST TAKE: JUSTIN ROWLAND, CATSILLUSTRATED.COM
“Kentucky feels confident in their chances with Gatewood after his official visit. He’s not going to find a more favorable depth chart situation at an SEC program. He would likely not be eligible to play until the 2021 season and Terry Wilson only has the 2020 season remaining in Lexington. After that, it’s a wide-open competition and you have to like his talent.
“He got along very well with assistant coach Vince Marrow, Terry Wilson and some other players. From what I’ve heard, Florida and Mississippi State are still very much in play and he’s talking things over in terms of how to proceed.”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM
“Coaches have to say the right thing, they have to say that they’re going to be there, but it’s good news for Gatewood because it doesn't appear that Mark Stoops is really that high on Florida State’s wish list. They have other guys on the top of their list so Gatewood doesn’t have to worry about that yet.
“The quarterback situation there this year with the injuries shows the Wildcats lack a lot of depth and he could be the guy to start for them. He fits that offense very well. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes there because that staff does a very good job recruiting and they could wrap him up.”