Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky’s starting quarterback for the 2024 season, has announced his decision to retire from football. The news, first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader’s Jon Hale on Sunday, marks an unexpected end to the career of the 6-foot-3, 217-pound signal caller. Vandagriff’s retirement comes after a challenging season for both him and the Wildcats, who struggled to a 4-8 record, including a dismal 1-7 finish in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play.

Vandagriff transferred to Kentucky after spending three seasons as a backup quarterback at Georgia. During his time with the Bulldogs, he saw limited action, throwing for a combined 165 yards and two touchdowns. The opportunity to start at Kentucky was a fresh start for the former five-star recruit, but the season proved to be a tumultuous one.

In his lone year as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback, Vandagriff completed 57% of his passes for 1,593 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Despite his efforts, the team failed to gain momentum, and their offensive struggles contributed to Kentucky missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2015. The Wildcats’ underwhelming season was a stark contrast to the program’s recent success and left fans and analysts questioning the team’s direction moving forward.

Vandagriff, who still had one year of eligibility remaining, decided to step away from football instead of returning for another season. While he has not yet elaborated on his decision, it signals the end of a once-promising collegiate career that never fully reached its potential.

Kentucky’s Quarterback Depth in Flux

With Vandagriff’s retirement, Kentucky’s quarterback room faces significant uncertainty heading into the offseason. Former Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, who served as Vandagriff’s backup in 2024, also opted to leave the program. Wimsatt entered the transfer portal earlier this month after appearing in limited action during the season, including meaningful snaps in the Wildcats’ loss to Tennessee.

The Wildcats have already taken steps to address their quarterback situation by landing a commitment from Incarnate Word signal caller Zach Calzada via the transfer portal. Calzada, a native of Buford, Georgia, brings an impressive résumé to Lexington.

The 2024 season was a breakout campaign for Calzada at the FCS level. He completed 66% of his passes for 3,744 yards, 35 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while showcasing his dual-threat abilities with 332 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Prior to his time at Incarnate Word, Calzada played at Texas A&M, where he gained valuable experience against SEC competition. His addition provides hope for an offense that desperately needs a spark in 2025.

Rebuilding After a Disappointing Season

The Wildcats’ disappointing 2024 campaign highlighted the need for significant improvements on both sides of the ball. Offensive consistency was a glaring issue, and the team often struggled to generate explosive plays. Vandagriff’s retirement and Wimsatt’s transfer leave Kentucky in a precarious position, but Calzada’s arrival offers a potential solution.

Head coach Mark Stoops and his staff will undoubtedly look to bolster the roster through the transfer portal and recruiting as they aim to bounce back in 2025. The Wildcats’ ability to develop talent and adapt will be critical in avoiding another subpar season.

As Kentucky turns the page on a tumultuous year, Vandagriff’s retirement marks the end of an era while signaling a new beginning for the program. The Wildcats will now rely on their coaching staff, incoming players like Calzada, and returning talent to restore the program’s winning tradition.