Towles finds perfect fit in SEC

Patrick Towles knows nothing other than state championships at Ft. Thomas (Ky.) Highlands and the Kentucky commit is looking for another title in his senior season.

Anything less would not be acceptable.

"At Highlands, if you don't win a state championship then you're unsuccessful," Towles said this past week at the Elite 11 at Pepperdine.

"As bad as that sounds it's awesome that we either strive for the best or we have nothing. Going 14-1 is a good season but if it's 14-1 without a ring then it's not up to our expectations."

The 6-foot-5, 232-pound three-star prospect is definitely focused on his senior year of high school but also looking ahead to his career at Kentucky, where he committed on April 1.

Everything about the Wildcats made sense but what really stuck out was the new coaching staff in Lexington and how they're approaching the future. Towles is excited and said he cannot wait to be a part of it.

"Last year coach (Joker) Phillips, who had been there forever and got the head coaching job, started a motto of 'Operation Win,'" Towles said.

"Coming from a winning program at Highlands going for our fifth straight championship it's good to know they're not OK with losing and there are no moral victories. It's all either you win or no cigar.

"My sister goes to school there, I have a bunch of family there, both my parents went to UK and I just love it down there. All the coaches are awesome. I really, really felt comfortable with them."

Rivals.com rates Towles as the No. 24 pro-style quarterback in the 2012 class and fourth in the Kentucky state rankings. He was a little shaky during drills early in the week but Towles really bounced back during 7-on-7 play and was one of the top performers at certain times.

The Kentucky commit does best in game situations and showed he has the skill to make a difference down the road in the SEC.

"I thrive in game situations when the game is on the line and I have a second to make a decision," Towles said. "Right now my mechanics aren't as good as everyone else here.

"I have flaws and I'm working on them and getting better. A lot of these guys are out here because their mechanics are phenomenal which is what I'm working on. In 7-on-7, I feel like I throw a pretty good ball. In drills mechanics are the No. 1 thing and in 7-on-7 mechanics are important but you just have to move the ball and score touchdowns and I'm pretty good at that."