When graduate transfers seek out new opportunities for their final years of collegiate eligibility, one of the top priorities when choosing a school is usually the ability to take the field early and often. In most instances, the goal is to land at a place in need of a sure-fire starter.
For Troy graduate transfer quarterback Sawyer Smith, who tossed for 1,669 yards and 14 touchdowns on 62.9% overall last season for the Trojans, his situation was different.
Despite a widely successful redshirt sophomore season that included earning MVP honors in the Dollar General Bowl following a 320-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 42-32 victory over Buffalo, the newest Kentucky quarterback wanted to land at a school that could use his off-field leadership traits just as much as his on-field talents.