[LeeCoUKFan]

Barker visits UK again, still plans spring decision

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Drew Barker has been a regular at Kentucky in recent weeks and his latest trip to the school was on Saturday. The four-star Conner quarterback attended the second half of the Cats' most recent junior day.

Barker arrived at Kentucky late Saturday afternoon, just in time to meet with the coaches, hang out with the recruits and take in the UK-Missouri basketball game.

He had already toured the campus and attended the previous junior day so this trip had a different focus.

"It was a good time," Barker told Cats Illustrated. "I didn't get a chance to see a basketball game last time so this was a pretty big one with GameDay there. I really wanted to go to the game and it was definitely a great atmosphere. I had a good chance to hang out with some of the guys as well."

Thaddeus Snodgrass, Darius West, Darryl Long, Ethan Wolf and recent signees Ryan Timmons and Alex Montgomery were among those that Barker spent time with.

He also had a chance to talk to coaches Mark Stoops, Neal Brown, Vince Marrow, Chad Scott and Tommy Mainord.

"They're really cool," Barker said. "They're definitely pretty laid back and I can tell they're not putting up a front. I can tell thats actually how they are on a day-to-day basis. I'm looking forward to going to spring practice to see how they coach."

The trip, at least prior to the basketball game, was laid back and stress-free.

"I hung out in the players lounge playing video games with the other recruits and I watched some film with coach Brown," he said. "He's definitely an offensive mastermind. He knows what he's talking about and he's definitely very knowledgeable about the game. I think he could definitely be a great teacher and developer."

Kentucky still has plenty of competition. South Carolina coaches G.A. Mangus and Steve Spurrier speak with Barker two or three times every week and the four-star quarterback is planning two trips to Columbia.

"I'm going down there for a spring practice and the spring game," he said. "I'm not sure about the date of the practice but I'll be down for both."

Barker said he's also planning to set up trips to Ole Miss and Tennessee. He is open to visit Miami and "maybe a few others".

He still plans to make his decision in late April or early May.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1476501