Brock Vandagriff has skill set to help Kentucky's scheme adjustment

Kentucky’s offense had high expectations in 2023 despite having some major questions along the offensive line. However, that ended up not being the unit’s biggest weakness on the field. Surprisingly, the passing game and a lack of efficiency are what held Liam Coen‘s unit back.

The Wildcats enter bowl season ranked No. 101 in offensive success rate and No. 133 in total snaps. The latter was dead last in college football. Coen’s offense only got off 55.2 snaps per game in 2023. Part of the issue was the offense’s inability to stay on or ahead of schedule, and another part was the pace of play. Heading into the Louisville game, Coen admitted that the staff must look at the operation and potentially make some changes in the offseason.

“Have to look at as a staff how can we play faster,” Coen said. “How can we maybe take this offense and mold it into more of a no-huddle system? Get more plays, play faster, play with more tempo. Do what we’re ultimately trying to get done schematically but also how do we change it up to play with more tempo? Spread things out a little bit more. Get your athletes in space while still trying to be physical in the run game.”

What helps spread things out on offense? Having a quarterback that can use his legs both in the scripted and unscripted run game. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff can check that box for Kentucky.

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Zone read element

When Kentucky’s offense truly took off in 2021, Liam Coen started to lean into the QB run element with Will Levis. The former wildcat quarterback at Penn State would end the season with 514 non-sack rushing yards on 6.0 yards per rush and a robust success rate (65.9%). The Wildcats had one of the most efficient offenses in college football in part due to the QB run element that defenses had to prepare for.

Devin Leary was unable to provide that in 2023. Brock Vandagriff can provide that in 2024.

The former five-star recruit rushed for 500 yards and 17 touchdowns for a state championship team in Georgia as a senior. Vandagriff is not Jayden Daniels and he’s not the north/south power rusher that Levis was, but this is a player that can provide a true triple threat in the zone read game.

Part of the tempo and spread scheme switch for Coen this offseason will likely include getting in shotgun and running true RPO actions. Vandagriff can hurt defense as a runner whether that be on pulls or scrambles.

Expect QB run to play a bigger role in the offense next fall.

Playing on time

Regardless of what new spread looks that Kentucky will try to utilize, this offense still needs a quarterback who can make quick reads and get the ball out on time. Playing with correct timing is essential in this pro-style scheme that has a ton of moving parts. Brock Vandagriff will have to prove that he has the accuracy long-term to efficiently run the offense but this is a quarterback that has been well-coached and looks comfortable making reads.

On fourth down in the low red zone, Vandagriff quickly makes the correct checkdown decision allowing the Bulldogs to add a touchdown to the scoreboard against Kentucky.

The quarterback gets the ball out on the swing route and delivers it in stride. Vandagriff has a live arm allowing him to drive the ball quickly. That shows up when making throws from the pocket. Kentucky’s scheme needs a quarterback who can make some big boy throws over the middle and stretch the defense vertically. Vandagriff can do that.

Brock Vandagriff has required physical traits

Kentucky’s offense could schematically look different next year. Brock Vandagriff’s physical skill set will have something to do with that. As Liam Coen attempts to modernize the offense, what Vandagriff brings to the table will play a big role.

The SEC transfer will need to be molded and developed by Coen, but he will also bring some positional athleticism to the offense that will allow Kentucky to dabble in some different concepts. Look for Kentucky to take advantage of his running ability early in his career as he adjusts to being a full-time starter.

Kentucky will ask Vandagriff to play within their pro-style structure that will include the traditional under center play-action game, but look for the Wildcats to also sprinkle in new elements where their newest quarterback transfer can thrive.

The Wildcats are looking to evolve. That adaption will take place with a former five-star recruit with an intriguing skill set taking the snaps from under center.