Josh Paschal has scheduled an autograph signing the same day UK opens the football season. (UK Athletics Photo)
After Kentucky opens the season September 4 with a win over Louisiana-Monroe — and don’t doubt that UK will win that game — the preseason buzz about the Wildcats is only going to accelerate for the Big Blue Nation. But what I am even more curious about is another UK football-related event on September 4 because a few hours after the game ends, Kentucky senior defensive lineman — UK’s inspirational leader — is going to be signing autographs at KSBar & Grille.
It’s not the first autograph signing by a UK athlete at that location but it will be the first when a UK athlete still has eligibility remaining as part of the new name, image and likeness protocols. Odds are it is not going to be the last, either, because just think of the possibilities after really big football and basketball games this season.
What if a football player sets an autograph setting the same weekend as the LSU or Florida home games and UK wins? Or even if the Cats don’t win and it is the right player who has a big game, don’t you think fans will take advantage of this autograph opportunity.
Basketball could be insane if coach John Calipari’s team is as good as many believe — and we learned last year not to take that for granted. Players could set signings the same day/weekend as a big game at Rupp Arena — or maybe just any game if the team is really rolling.
Paschal’s signing should give us a clear indication of what could be coming. He’s expected to be one of the best defensive players on a Kentucky team that coaches, players and fans believe can challenge for the SEC East championship. His courageous comeback from cancer endeared him to fans and he has an engaging personality — remember the shoutouts he gave to “KSR” recently at SEC Media Days as a way to hype his upcoming autograph signing.
I don’t know what he’s going to charge for autographs/pictures or how long he will be at KSBar & Grille. But I do know he’s going to be a trailblazer and a lot of other UK athletes are going to be carefully watching how this historic autograph signing goes.
