Cats Get A Top Ranked Quarterback
For the second straight year, Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats hit the transfer portal looking for a quarterback. This coming on the heels of nearly every current signal caller heading out of Lexington. Add to that the fact Devin Leary is out of eligibility. One name was linked to the Wildcats from the moment he hit the portal and now offensive coordinator Liam Coen has his man. Let’s introduce you to the Cats QB of the future as Brock Vandagriff Chooses Kentucky.
Very Highly Ranked
Coming out of high school Vandagriff was the 17th ranked player in the 2021 class. Playing at Prince Avenue Christian School about 20 minutes from Athens Vandagriff was the number four quarterback and second overall player in Georgia. He originally committed to Oklahoma on June 20, 2019. However, he decommitted from the Sooners on January 1, 2020. Three weeks later he was a Georgia Bulldog. In addition to Oklahoma, Alabama, and Auburn were also on his final list.
As a senior, he led his team to the Georgia A Private State Championship and a 13-1 record. Coming out of school scouts compared him to Bo Nix.
Looking For Playing Time
The 6-3, 215-pound quarterback spent his first two years backing up Stetson Bennett. Of course, Bennett led Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships. In limited playing time, Vandagriff went 0-3 passing but did run the ball once for seven yards.
When Bennett graduated he competed with Carson Beck for the starting job in 2o23. However, Beck beat him out throwing for 3,738 yards and 22 touchdowns. Appearing in eight games this past season he completed 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He also gained 46 yards on six rushing attempts.
Ironically one of his best games came against his future team. Playing the entire fourth quarter in a 51-13 rout Vandagriff completed five of seven passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, he gained 27 yards on two runs.
With Beck likely returning for 2024 he entered the portal on Monday. He ranks as the sixth-best quarterback in the transfer portal. While he looked at South Carolina and Mississippi State he ultimately chose the Cats. Another possible thing working in the Cats’ favor is Vandagriff’s sister Anna plays volleyball for Eastern Kentucky which is 25 miles south of Lexington.
Ready to get to work. #GoBigBlue #BBN pic.twitter.com/bGnUCtaCPe
— Brock 🌊 (@BrockVandagriff) December 6, 2023
Now that we found out Brock Vandagriff chooses Kentucky it’s time to look at how he fits in.
Quarterback Of The Future
As we mentioned in the beginning Leary’s playing his final game in the upcoming Gator Bowl. Three other quarterbacks: Kaiya Sheron, Destin Wade, and Deuce Hogan announced they were hitting the portal. However, Hogan later deleted his post. If all three leave then the only quarterback on the roster is Shane Hamm. The former Dayton signal caller did not dress for any games in 2023.
While it’s likely Coen and Stoops hit the portal for a second quarterback, the starting job is Vandagriff’s to lose. He has two years of eligibility remaining and is UK’s third straight quarterback coming from the portal following Will Levis and Leary.
Kentucky has a pair of highly touted quarterbacks for the future in incoming Lexington native Cutter Boley and 2025 recruit Stone Saunders out of Pennsylvania. They’ll have time to get acquainted with the system while sitting behind Vandagriff.
The Wildcats have their quarterback of the future as Brock Vandagriff chooses Kentucky. Keep checking Last Word On College Football for more recruiting updates as signing day quickly approaches on December 2oth.
