Kentucky vs Iowa football game: Wildcats name starting quarterback for Music City Bowl
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — True freshman Destin Wade will make the first start of his college career Saturday when Kentucky faces Iowa in the Music City Bowl.
Wade was listed atop the depth chart along with third-year sophomore Deuce Hogan and redshirt freshman Kaiya Sheron entering the game. But Wade trotted out with the first-team offense prior to the Wildcats' opening possession.
Former North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary committed to UK on Dec. 20. But he will not join the Wildcats until the university's spring semester begins next month.
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In making the start Saturday, Wade replaces Will Levis, who revealed Dec. 7 that he would not play in the bowl game as he starts preparing for next year's NFL draft.
The bowl is a homecoming of sorts for Wade, who is from Spring Hill, Tennessee, which is just 37 miles from Nissan Stadium, the site of Saturday's contest.
A dual-threat quarterback, Wade was Tennessee's "Mr. Football" in Class 6A — the state's largest division — after a senior season in which he ran for 2,308 yards and 30 touchdowns and passed for 1,436 yards and 18 scores.
He was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of Summit High in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Wade compiled an overall record of 40-5 in three seasons as Summit's starter. The school captured the 5A state crown during his junior season, when Summit finished 14-1. The Spartans were the state runner-up twice with Wade: in 5A his sophomore season and 6A in his final high school campaign.
His twin brother, Keaten, is a freshman linebacker for the Wildcats.
The Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee kicked off just after noon on ABC.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football vs Iowa: UK names starting QB for Music City Bowl
