Winding road to stardom nearly led Kentucky's Woodson to quit

[WildcatRick]

They won't match the statistical success of Jared Lorenzen and Chris Redman. And they probably won't reach mythical status like Babe Parilli and Johnny Unitas. But Kentucky's Andre Woodson (http://fantasycollfoot.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=CFB&id=87642) and Louisville's Brian Brohm (http://fantasycollfoot.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=CFB&id=88232) are making their case as the best pair of quarterbacks to play for the state's major schools at the same time. Their 2-0 teams meet Saturday in Lexington (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic). You're going to see two of the best college football quarterbacks in the nation and probably two future NFL quarterbacks that are homegrown, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks says. It's a very significant event. USA TODAY takes a look at each of them.

"Believe in Blue" is the slogan for this year's Kentucky team. Even though the Wildcats have lost four in a row to Louisville, even though Kentucky's last win against a top 10 team was in 1977, there is plenty to believe in heading into Saturday's huge rivalry game against Louisville.

Starting with Kentucky senior quarterback Andre Woodson. "Last season who would have known we would have gone 8-5? Who would have known we would win a bowl game for the first time in 22 years?" Woodson asks.

And who would have imagined that in a span of a year, Woodson would go from throwing six interceptions and six touchdowns as the starting quarterback of a 3-8 team to being demoted to second string to being considered the top quarterback in the Southeastern Conference?

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/2007-09-11-kentucky-woodson_N.htm

[boomdaddy]

I saw a draft analyst on tv that stated he would pick Woodson over Brohm in the draft, because he was bigger, more mobile, and had a stronger arm. He seems to think that Woodson has a bigger upside and room for improvement that Brohm.

[DenCat]

This quote makes me think his mother wishes he would have went somewhere else.

"It didn't matter that the lowly Wildcats had just five winning seasons in the previous 25 years. "We were very naive," says Robin, who is retired from the military and does defense contract work for Boeing. "We never foresaw Andre being where he is today. We just saw it as a chance to go to college on a scholarship and play football."

Maybe it's just me and I took it wrong.:shrug1:

[JawadtheChinchilla]

I think she means she didn't see him in a position to be so successful. I know coming out of North Hardin, he was a good quarterback but was not expected to be so good. I think she figured he'd go somewhere and play football, but didn't expect that he'd end up being the best QB in the SEC.

[catlovercardhater]

I was REALLY happy to see the rivalry getting FULL PAGE ink in USA Today yesterday. This really is a National Rivalry now!

[TrueblueCATfan]

I was REALLY happy to see the rivalry getting FULL PAGE ink in USA Today yesterday. This really is a National Rivalry now!

I agree..great for the state of Kentucky

[Mark Blueblood]

This quote makes me think his mother wishes he would have went somewhere else.

"It didn't matter that the lowly Wildcats had just five winning seasons in the previous 25 years. "We were very naive," says Robin, who is retired from the military and does defense contract work for Boeing. "We never foresaw Andre being where he is today. We just saw it as a chance to go to college on a scholarship and play football."

Maybe it's just me and I took it wrong.:shrug1:

I sure don't see it that way. I don't know what lines you're reading between, but I only see it as her not believing he would achieve what he has.