New QB Brock Vandagriff Goes On The Record About Kentucky Commitment: 'I'm Fired Up'

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Kentucky’s newest quarterback commit Brock Vandagriff isn’t much for the social media hype or the hyperbolic statements. Vandagriff is ready to just play football. 

While Brock’s father might compare his commitment to driving a Porsche, Brock is a little more reserved in his candor. He wants it to be known that he and his dad are on the same team, but his own comments might not be as extravagant. 

“I’m ready to just play some football. I try to stay off social media a lot,” Vandagriff told KSR+. “It’s not a big part of my life. I’m mainly just ready to go in and build relationships with the coaches and the players. Hopefully, we have a good run this season.” 

Vandagriff sat down with KSR+ for an exclusive interview to break down his commitment, his game, and plenty of other topics following his commitment to Kentucky. 

“I’m a lunch-pail type of guy. Come in, clock in, do my work, and go out there and hopefully put a good product out there this fall,” he said. 

Setting Him Up for Success

Brock Vandagriff had his fair share of suitors once he entered the transfer portal. Vandagriff was the No. 4 quarterback coming out of high school in the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. 

Perhaps the biggest part of Vandagriff’s commitment to Kentucky was his relationship with offensive coordinator Liam Coen. He called it “the leading factor.” 

“The quarterback has to be really close with the offensive coordinator,” Vandagriff said. “Just him reaching out, he was just expressing that we think you’d fit well in our system. That’s the thing. I watched a bunch of film on them and I think I would as well. What he was saying in that aspect was something I knew. I can go in here and have a good year.” 

Trusting in the Kentucky Coaches

Another factor that went into Vandagriff’s commitment was trust. Trust in the coaches. Trust in the product Kentucky puts on the field. 

“It’s a hard-nosed football team,” he said. “They’re going to be able to run the ball. They’re physical up front. We’ll hopefully be able to throw the ball a little bit. They’ve got great wideouts and we’re getting a couple of great wideouts as well. Just being able to put the ball in their hands in space and let them do their work.” 

More than anything, Vandagriff was drawn to how he would fit into Kentucky’s offense. He believes Kentucky’s offense fits his skill set very well. 

“I believe that Kentucky’s offense under Coach [Liam] Coen is going to set me up for success,” he said. “Hopefully, if I’m able to play at the next level, it will help me get to the next level. It’s basically just the pro-style offense that I was looking for.” 

As Vandagriff was going through the recruiting process, there were several questions about the future of Kentucky’s football program. The first of those surrounded head coach Mark Stoops. Stoops was originally reported to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M on November 25. However, just a few hours after the reports were made public, it was reported that he was staying at Kentucky. 

“I didn’t really have that initial reaction because I wasn’t on my phone,” Vandagriff said. “The next morning, I saw that it could’ve happened, it didn’t happen. All I know is that he’s still the head coach at Kentucky. I’m still fired up about that.” 

First Impressions of Big Blue Nation

There’s nothing like the Big Blue Nation. For someone like Vandagriff, the shock of Kentucky’s fandom could come as a major surprise, especially for someone who’s never been on campus before. 

“There’s been a lot of support just through social media,” Vandagriff said. “I actually ran into a Kentucky fan at our little Christmas production that they put on at church. He was so stoked and so happy. It was just awesome.” 

When Vandagriff decided to commit before even stepping foot on campus, it shocked many people. Among those was his girlfriend. 

“She was like, ‘You’ve never even seen the campus!?’ I’m like, ‘No, I’ve talked to Coach and I’ve watched a bunch of film,’” he said. “I know that’s where I want to be. I’m going to play football. I’m not there to walk around campus. If it’s great, it’s great. If it’s not, it’s not. I’m just there to play football.” 

Brock Vandagriff’s Game

Brock Vandagriff’s father already broke down his game plenty for KSR+, but what is Brock’s own evaluation? For one thing, he’s able to throw the ball deep. 

“One of my strengths is being able to throw the ball downfield,” he said. “I wouldn’t consider myself a dual-threat guy. I’m mainly a pocket passer who can extend plays if need be. If rush lanes open up, I’ll hopefully be able to get the first down and keep the chains moving.” 

Vandagriff doesn’t consider himself a vocal or “rah-rah” guy. Instead, he’s someone that’s there for his teammates when they need him. 

“I’m a guy that will make sure he’s there for his teammates at all times,” he said. “I lead by example, is how I would like to say is my leadership style.” 

Vandagriff hasn’t gone into details with the Kentucky staff about the type of offense they plan to run. He’s open to what they tell him.

“Whatever they’re saying, I’m going to say, ‘Yes sir’ to and hopefully go out and execute the game plan,” he said. “I’m just going to call what the coach signals in.” 

As for improving his game, Vandagriff’s first task will be learning the playbook. He wants to know it like the back of his hand. 

“Just sitting down and making sure I grind that out, it’ll be a challenge,” he said. “But then being able to meet with others and if anyone has questions. I’m [focused on] being able to make sure we’re on the same page and make sure we develop all our timing in the spring and summer and make sure we have a good product there.” 

Playing Against His Former Team

Brock Vandagriff will have a great opportunity in the first month of the season to face off against his former team. Kentucky is set to play Georgia in week three on September 14, pitting the Cats against the Bulldogs. 

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Vandagriff said. “I think Kentucky and Georgia are two teams that match up well up front and on the perimeter. I’m just ready for the challenge.” 

Georgia easily dismantled Kentucky in 2023, winning 51-13 in Athens. Even as the backup quarterback, Vandagriff got some playing time, going 5-for-7 passing with 46 yards and a touchdown. Vandagriff wasn’t spending too much time that night watching the Kentucky offense. 

“Whenever you’re on the sideline, you’re always trying to help out what the quarterbacks are seeing,” Vandagriff said. “In between drives, you’re talking with the quarterbacks. I didn’t get to see much offense from the sideline, but whenever you’re watching the game, you see, hey, this is an inside zone play, would you watch the outside guy and see if they’re winning on their one-on-ones?”

However, Vandagriff did get to see the Kentucky defense firsthand, getting hit hard on one play late in the game. That definitely left an impression. 

“I didn’t really protect myself,” he said. “I just got freakin’ rocked.” 

Yet, from what Vandagriff saw, the Kentucky defense was very disciplined. There were very few miscommunications on their part.

“There weren’t too many mess-ups on defense,” he said. “Everyone is where they’re supposed to be. It just seemed like there was a very strong will to play. There weren’t any busts on Kentucky.” 

Doing Some Recruiting of His Own

Now that Brock Vandagriff is already in the fold for Kentucky, he wants to do some recruiting of his own. That starts with North Texas wide receiver transfer Ja’Mori Maclin, who recently took an official visit to Kentucky over the weekend. 

“Heck yeah, we’re trying to get him,” Vandagriff said. “He’s a great wideout. He can play inside and outside. We’ve been talking on the phone a lot. Hopefully, I’ll be able to throw the ball to him some this year.” 

One player he knows he’ll be throwing the ball to is Raymond Cottrell, a transfer wideout from Texas A&M who announced his commitment to Kentucky on Saturday. 

“To be honest, I haven’t watched too much [of Cottrell], but I know that’s something Coach Coen and Coach Stoops want,” Vandagriff said. “That’s something I want. We’re all on the same page there.”

“I’m trying to get a little more involved in it, getting guys, and helping to reach out to other guys. We want people that want to be a Kentucky Wildcat, want to be a part of it, and hopefully go out there and put on a great show this fall.” 

Could the Hair Come Back at Some Point? 

Kentucky fans have questions about the hair. His long locks raised enough attention that it started a lookalike’s thread on the KSBoard. However, he cut it recently. 

Vandagriff has long admired David Cutliffe, who used to be Duke’s head football coach. He’s someone Vandagriff has looked up to for years. So, when the SEC Championship rolled around, Cutliffe finally convinced him to cut it. 

“He said, ‘Man, you need to cut that hair.’ He and my grandfather were both saying that I needed to cut my hair,” Vandagriff said. “Basically I cut it and my grandfather and Coach Cut were very pleased. Coach Cut said that I cleaned up nice when I got to see him at the SEC Championship last weekend.”

“It was just getting annoying. That played a factor as well.”