Former UK quarterback Whitlow transfers to Eastern Illinois

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Former University of Kentucky quarterback Jalen Whitlow has transferred to Eastern Illinois, which made the move official with an announcement Wednesday. The Panthers also added two other Football Bowl Subdivision transfers: wide receiver Stephen Bravo-Brown from South Florida and defensive back Anthony Standifer from Ole Miss.

Whitlow left the Wildcats in the middle of spring football practice when the coaching staff asked him to move to wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound junior started 15 games, rushed for 663 yards, passed for 1,834 yards and accounted for 17 total touchdowns in two seasons at UK but fell behind in the QB competition this spring.

The Cats wanted a more prototypical passer to run coordinator Neal Brown's "Air Raid" offense and sophomore Patrick Towles appeared to have a slight edge in the race after spring ball. Sophomore Reese Phillips and heralded freshman Drew Barker, a former four-star recruit like Towles, are also in the mix.

Whitlow transferred to stay at his preferred position and will try to replace Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was just picked in the second round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Panthers went 12-2 last season, including 8-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference, and reached the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

"We have a lot of talented football players returning from last year's team, but to continue to compete for Ohio Valley Conference championships and to make a run into the FCS playoffs, we will need to continue to add talented football players to our roster," EIU coach Kim Dameron said in a school-issued news release.

Whitlow is eligible to play immediately and will open the 2014 season at Minnesota. The Panthers, who finished last season ranked fourth nationally, return 14 starters.

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.