Rowland: 10 thoughts on Stephen Johnson before his last game in Lexington

[Matt Dillon]

No matter how the Louisville game and Kentucky's bowl appearance play out on the field, quarterback Stephen Johnson will leave the Cats' football program with sky-high favorability ratings. Once Johnson leaves, most fans will probably appreciate him more.
Appreciate him now for the short time he's still got in blue and white, because Kentucky's history before Johnson proves that competence and the heart of a winner are qualities that can't be taken for granted in a quarterback.
Saturday will mark the final time that Johnson lines up behind center as Kentucky's starter. It seems like only yesterday when he was thrust into that New Mexico State game in 2016, with the Cats struggling and Mark Stoops' future very much in doubt. But largely because of Johnson, and as much because of him as anything or anyone else, Kentucky football is in a very different place today.

https://kentucky.rivals.com/news/row...e-in-lexington

Nice article by Justin Rowland. It's good to see Stephen get some positive ink, and well deserved in my opinion.

[SBCatMan]

Saturday will mark the final time that Johnson lines up behind center as Kentucky's starter. .

Very nice article indeed. But I sure hope this quotation does not prove prophetic.

[40bill]

Something JRo. Wrote absolutely nailed it for my part....maybe sometimes I shouldn't think so much of my own opinions on any player.
Stephen Johnson for many, many reasons is a huge part....maybe THE part...of starting UK around this forever long corner. Without him stepping in after Drew was hurt and LEADING this crew, we could very well be looking at a different coaching staff trying to rebuild this program one more time.
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[Blue Heaven]

I am gonna miss Johnson. He is just a gamer with a good head on his shoulders. I love that guys attitude and determination. A big thanks goes to Gran and Hinshaw as well.

[Matt Dillon]

Very nice article indeed. But I sure hope this quotation does not prove prophetic.

Just so the readers will know, that comment is Rowland's, not mine.

[Matt Dillon]

This is the part of the article that really jumped out at me.

"But largely because of Johnson, and as much because of him as anything or anyone else, Kentucky football is in a very different place today".

[Blue Heaven]

This is the part of the article that really jumped out at me.

"But largely because of Johnson, and as much because of him as anything or anyone else, Kentucky football is in a very different place today".

Absolutely Matt. What he has done and the record we have with him is nothing short of amazing for us. His numbers aren't flashy, but he mostly makes the right play and puts us in position to win. I love Stephen Johnson.

[fastkat]

I'm glad to see him finally be appreciated. Two months ago people were still screaming for Barker or Hoak at QB We wouldn't have two 7 win seasons without him.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm glad to see him finally be appreciated. Two months ago people were still screaming for Barker or Hoak at QB We wouldn't have two 7 win seasons without him.

Not to take anything away from Stephen, but no one knows what our record would be right now had Barker not been injured. At the beginning of last season, he looked like the real deal. Also, no one knows what our record might have been had Hoak, instead of Stephen, been Barker's replacement. We really know nothing at all about Hoak's capabilities.

[CATHYnKY]

Not to take anything away from Stephen, but no one knows what our record would be right now had Barker not been injured. At the beginning of last season, he looked like the real deal. Also, no one knows what our record might have been had Hoak, instead of Stephen, been Barker's replacement. We really know nothing at all about Hoak's capabilities.

Gonna find out a whole lot next season

[boomdaddy]

Stephen Johnson is a winner. As a fan I have noticed two things.

1) He doesn't have a very good arm and it seems to be worse, this season. Not sure if has an injured throwing arm or cumulative hits to the ribs keep him from throwing, but his balls float and take a long time to get to the receivers.

2) The staff doesn't seem to have a capable backup up to put in his place, when he gets injured.

As good a college QB that he is, I would like to see a QB with a strong arm and be a little elusive to win the job. I will still root for whomever gets thrown back there, but I want a QB that cant get the ball there in a hurry.