UK commit Towles earns 4-star rating

Kentucky quarterback commitment Patrick Towles has been upgraded to a four-star rating on Rivals.com.

Towles, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Mr. Football winner from Highlands High School, also moved up five spots to be ranked as the nation's No. 9 pro-style quarterback.

Towles threw for 3,820 yards and 42 touchdowns with only one interception in 2011, leading Highlands (15-0) to a fifth straight state title, including his third as the starting QB.

He also rushed for 589 yards and 15 TDs.

"He's a guy with a strong arm, he's very accurate, he can move around for a big kid, he's got great poise, and he's a winner," Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell said. "Everything about him looks like a potential SEC quarterback and possible NFL quarterback, when you combine all of his attributes together."

Towles also has won the Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year honor and the Paul Hornung Award as the top player in the state.

He was one of five quarterbacks in the nation named to the Parade All-America team on Sunday.