Reese Phillips was Kentucky’s backup quarterback last season and appeared in three games, including a November loss at Tennessee.
The former Signal Mountain standout and current UK redshirt sophomore was eager to compete this spring with Patrick Towles, last season’s starter, and Drew Barker. Each had a clean slate under new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, but the three-man battle became two when Phillips ruptured his Achilles’ tendon a couple of days before the first of 15 practices commenced.
Phillips was a guest this past week on “Press Row” on ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: How did the injury happen?
A: “We were just doing some drills indoors, some sprinting and some other typical football drills, when I just had a little freak accident. I’ve never had any problems with it before, and it’s just unfortunate.”
Q: What are the chances of you being able to compete in August?
A: “Right now, we’re hoping that will happen. I’m confident that it will, because I’ve had great treatment so far. I actually had the surgery the next morning, so they put me on a fast track to recovery. Right now, I’m just supporting my teammates and getting stronger.”
Q: Was it tougher when it happened or now when you have to sit out practice after practice?
A: “That’s a good point, because it obviously hurt physically when it happened, but this has been a mental test for me. The first week or so was really hard mentally, and the first practice I saw was tough to watch. Things could be worse, though, and I’ve had a lot of advice from a lot of good people to kind of put things in perspective.”
Q: What was it like last season when Kentucky went from 5-1 to missing out on a bowl game?
A: “That wasn’t the plan, obviously, and the season didn’t end like we expected. We wanted to make a bowl, but you have to put things in perspective. We made a big jump. There were a lot more games we could have won, but we had a young team and still have a young team.
“It was a hard pill to swallow, but we looked back after a couple of weeks and realized we made big strides and are heading in the right direction.”
Q: How would you describe the team’s mood this spring?
A: “We are very confident, because we proved that we can play with some of the best. Mississippi State came in here as the No. 1 team in the nation, and we played them right down to the end. We’re a confident team, and we should be.”
Q: You attend a school that is the talk of college basketball. What is it like being a football player at Kentucky as far as attention compared to basketball players around campus?
A: “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a little different, but the thing is they’ve earned that. We want that same attention around campus, but that’s something that is earned. We’re a big family up here, and we support all the other teams. I love watching those guys.
“They come to our games and we go to their games, so it’s certainly not a jealousy thing. They’ve earned it.”
Q: Closing with a rapid fire, what has been your favorite moment so far as a Kentucky football player?
A: “I’ve got two. Beating South Carolina last year was amazing. I didn’t get to play in that game, but that doesn’t matter. Getting to play in Neyland Stadium was great even though that game didn’t turn out like we wanted. That was a blessing from God, because that was something I’ve always dreamed about doing.”
Q: If you and (6-foot-7, 365-pound defensive lineman) Matt Elam go to the Waffle House and you’re picking up the check and you’ve got $20, do you even get to order?
A: “What do you think? Matt’s my boy, but I don’t think I’m eating that night.”
Q: Who is the one Kentucky player that no one dares to mess with?
A: “I’m not sure right now, but it was Bud Dupree. I don’t think there is anyone around who would mess with that guy. He’s friendly and humble, but at the end of the day, that’s someone you don’t want to mess with.”
Q: Have you ever tried to get Willie Cauley-Stein out on the field?
A: “We’ve all worked on it. We would love to have a target like that, but I think Willie chose the right sport.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.