Mark Stoops addresses Destin Wade's rise on Kentucky's quarterback depth chart

Kentucky had no quarterback competition this season with Will Levis returning to Lexington. With that said, they have a solid QB room behind him that has developed even during this fall. One of the prospects in that room is true freshman Destin Wade who, based on the Wildcat’s depth chart this week, is turning heads.

Mark Stoops discussed Wade’s rise up to sharing the QB2 spot with Kaiya Sheron during his press conference on Monday. He says they were really hoping Wade would see snaps a few weeks ago against South Carolina but, regardless, he has been making necessary the strides to earn this distinction.

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“We wanted to play (him) the game Will was out. We wanted to get him in there and it was just one of those games where the opportunity just didn’t present itself,” said Stoops. “I wish it would’ve for us to see Destin in there and give him some play, but he’s ben getting better. I think that’s the big thing.”

The former four-star out of Spring Hill, Tennessee was Mr. Football as a senior at Summit High School as he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while also throwing for nearly 1,500 with 18 touchdowns through the air. He was the Spartan’s full-time starter in his final three seasons where he led them to a 40-5 record. They won a state championship in his junior season and were runner ups during his sophomore and senior seasons.

As he came to Lexington, Wade essentially started the year fifth on the depth chart. He was behind Levis, Sheron, Deuce Hogan, and Beau Allen, who eventually transferred before the season. Him tying for second halfway through the season says a lot about his progression. As long as he continues this pace, Stoops says things will come together for Wade sooner rather than later in his college career.

“Everybody thinks (quarterbacks) have to just (have everything) come to them right now. Especially a guy that’s highly recruited like him. But, again, it’s a developmental sport. He’s getting better. And as long as he keeps that positive attitude and works hard like he is? He’s making really big progress,” said Stoops. “When you recruit a guy like that, there’s a few years that you’ve got to put in. And he’s willing to do that. You’ve just got to put in time. He’s gotten better since day one here and he needs to keep on making strides like that. If he keeps that same approach in the work like he is, good things are going to happen to him.”

For the time being, no quarterbacks will be seeing the field for UK besides Levis if all goes to plan. With him likely heading off to the NFL this offseason, though, a spot may potentially be open for a prospect like Wade come this time next season. Nonetheless, Stoops just wants to see Wade continue to grind out what he’s earning right now. Keeping that momentum will help him see the field much sooner for the Wildcats, regardless of who else is competing for the job.