For some reason, things never quite came together for rising junior quarterback Mike Hartline last year.

He entered the season as the starting quarterback before being benched for Randall Cobb, now a rising sophomore who will see most of his time at wide receiver. Hartline did rally late in the season with a solid showing against East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. Now, he’ll enter the Blue-White Game on Saturday as UK’s top signal caller.

Hartline said despite the difficulties he went through last season, he tried to maintain a positive outlook.

“I mean, you can’t say it wasn’t (frustrating),” Hartline said. “It was. But at the same time, you do have to sit back and realize that we do have a lot of young guys. You just have to cope with it. It was frustrating because my mind was back and forth on a lot of things.”

In 2009, Hartline will look to make the same leap Andre’ Woodson made after his sophomore season. Woodson had six touchdowns and six interceptions in 2005, while Hartline registered nine touchdowns and eight picks last year.

UK head coach Rich Brooks said Hartline needs to improve his accuracy on deep throws. Last season, UK averaged just 5.4 yards per pass attempt.

Hartline certainly has the pedigree to be a top quarterback. His 6 foot 6 frame is perfect for a pro-style quarterback, and he has a football family to back him up. His brother, former Ohio State receiver Brian Hartline, is hoping to be picked in the NFL Draft this weekend. Mike Hartline said when he speaks with his brother, the conversation rarely turns to football.

“We don’t really try to get in depth about what’s going on,” Hartline said. “We just keep saying we’re there for each other to talk. We have the personalities to where we know what we’re saying without saying it. It’s a great relationship.”

Mike Hartline said he has become much more comfortable as a quarterback. Rising junior quarterback Will Fidler said Hartline has come into his own as a leader on the team.

“Mike can be serious whenever he needs to be serious, but he can also joke around,” Fidler said. “We have a lot of fun in meetings and stuff.”

Now, he’s ready to improve his skills as a quarterback instead of fight to keep his job. Still, Hartline might not be out of the woods yet.

Just as Cobb did last year, an incoming freshman will likely compete with Hartline in the fall. Highly-touted recruits Ryan Mossakowski and Morgan Newton could make noise on UK’s roster when they arrive on campus.

Rising senior wide receiver E.J. Adams said he wouldn’t pass final judgment on who he hopes will be throwing him passes this season, but is happy with Hartline as quarterback. Adams also stressed how difficult it is for freshman and sophomores to start at quarterback in Division I football.

“I can’t just say I want Mike to be quarterback, but I wouldn’t be mad if he was starting quarterback,” Adams said.

Hartline’s positive outlook on last season seems to have carried over to this year. Even with those players set to stir things up under center, Hartline welcomes the competition.

“No matter how many good players you have come in at your position or anywhere else, it’s going to make you better,” Hartline said.