Tim Couch recalls decision to sign with Kentucky over Tennessee, memories of being No. 1 NFL Draft pick
While Tim Couch grew up in Kentucky, it wasn’t always obvious he was going to be a Wildcat. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the former Kentucky QB reflected on his decision to commit to Kentucky.
“I’d originally verbally committed to Tennessee and I grew up very close to Knoxville, just as close to Knoxville as I did to Lexington,” Couch said. “I grew up watching Tennessee football and Tennessee was very, very good at that time. Kentucky was struggling and, more importantly, Kentucky was running an offense that didn’t suit me at all.
“I was a pocket passer and Kentucky, at the time Bill Curry was the head coach, they were running an option offense. So, I didn’t really see the fit, but my dad really pushed me in that direction to go to Kentucky. I’m just very thankful that it worked out the way it did.”
Kentucky fans are equally thankful. Couch played at Kentucky from 1996-98. After seeing limited action during his freshman season, Couch’s sophomore and junior campaigns – coinciding with the arrival of the “Air Raid” offense of Coach Hal Mumme – put Kentucky on the national stage.
Couch finished the ’97 season throwing for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns, setting several Southeastern Conference and school records, most of which he would break a year later.
Couch completed an NCAA-record 72.3 percent of his passes in 1998, throwing for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was the SEC Player of the Year and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Tim Couch never expected to be No. 1 pick
Despite Couch’s overwhelming success from high school onward, he never expected to be the No. 1 overall pick.
“That was unbelievable,” Couch said. “That’s one of those moments that you’ll never forget. Growing up and playing football, you just never really even think about being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Obviously, I had dreams of going to the NFL, being an NFL quarterback, but never going into the league as No. 1. That’s just something that’s so far-fetched that you can’t even imagine it.
“Once the season was over, I knew I had a great opportunity to go No. 1 and I had some really good workouts for the Browns before the draft and had a pretty good feeling they were going to take me. It was a huge honor to go to Cleveland.”
It isn’t the only honor Couch has received due to football. Earlier this month, the record-setting QB was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Now, his legacy will live on forever, not only in the Bluegrass but the nation.