Kentucky's Reese Phillips not a lock to redshirt

Former Signal Mountain quarterback Reese Phillips has yet to play this season at Kentucky, but he's not certain to redshirt either.

The Wildcats held a four-man quarterback competition throughout spring practice and preseason camp, with Maxwell Smith and Jalen Whitlow earning playing time over Patrick Towles and Phillips. Smith has gotten most of the work since the season started, completing 32 of 56 passes for 544 yards with four touchdowns, but he missed most of the second half of last week's loss to Louisville with a shoulder injury.

Kentucky first-year coach Mark Stoops said Wednesday that Smith has started throwing lightly and expects him back for next week's game against Florida, but his health could affect the status of Phillips.

"We would like redshirt to Reese if we could," Stoops said. "We've been very happy with him, and he's done some very good things and was very good throughout summer camp. If Maxwell comes back healthy and progresses like we think he will with that shoulder and doesn't have any setbacks, then we'll probably proceed with Max and with Jalen.

"If Max or Jalen goes down, then it's between Patrick and Reese to see who would be the backup quarterback at that time."

Phillips was an early enrollee and turned heads at Kentucky's spring game, completing 10 of 12 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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