Brock Vandagriff named college football breakout candidate

Kentucky hit the transfer market again in the offseason to address quarterback. Former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff is set to be QB in Lexington this fall. Despite adding Rutgers transfer Gavin Wimsatt in the spring, Kentucky’s expectations remain high for the former five-star recruit heading into his redshirt junior season.

With new offensive coordiantor Bush Hamdan taking over in Lexington, the Wildcats are betting on some of Vandagriff’s physical traits as the college production is not there yet for the class of 2021 signee. But it is easy to see the potential.

PFF has named Brock Vandagriff a college football breakout candidate joining fellow SEC quarterback Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), and Conner Weigman (Texas A&M).

Vandagriff has been around for a few years and is technically a two-time national champion, having played for Georgia from 2021 to 2023.

After losing a QB battle with Carson Beck last summer, Vandagriff earned recognition as one of the best backups in the country. However, with Beck returning for 2024, Vandagriff made the decision to transfer to Kentucky, where he can finally be the starting quarterback for a program on the rise.

PFF

As Beck’s backup in 2023, Brock Vandagriff completed 12 of 18 (66.7%) passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 9.2 yards per attempt. The dual-threat quarterback also chipped in 47 non-sack rushing yards. PFF credited the quarterback two big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays. There is a lot of projecting needed when handicapping what Vandagriff could be at Kentucky but the raw tools are undeniable.

Kentucky is hoping those physical traits turn into good quarterback play for a full season in the SEC. In high school, Brock Vandagriff flashed arm strength, accuracy, and excelled at off-script playmaking. All of that showed up in a small sample size at Georgia. If that holds in a bigger sample size, the Wildcats should be in good shape at quarterback this season.

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