First Down Kentucky: Brock Vandagriff is going to Lead his Ship
Brock Vandagriff is settling into his new role as the quarterback of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. We know he’s pretty good at slinging the football. We know he’s a big fan of the outdoors. Now he’s getting an opportunity to show us a little more by speaking publicly.
After promoting The 15 Club Fan Fest on WKYT, he’s moved on to BBN Tonight, which means the rest of the media will get a turn to talk to him in the near future. In a conversation with Maggie Davis, he shared why he was attracted to Liam Coen’s offensive system.
“In college football, 90 percent of the teams run the same plays. They call it something different. It’s just about execution,” said Vandagriff. “Coming in, knowing that I still want to stay in the pro-style offense and be with coach Coen, it’s great. My transition in the portal, it wasn’t really that different from high school.”
Another fact we already knew about Vandagriff: he’s the son of a coach. When Brock entered the portal, he did not want to receive 1,000 messages, so he used his Dad’s number in the questionnaire. Greg Vandagriff pointed his son in the right direction. Based on the following quote, it’s pretty clear Brock is a coach’s son through and through.
“It’s important as a quarterback, being able to lead your ship, which is leadership.”
But what if Mark Stoops wants to burn the ships? Can you still lead those ships? These are questions we’ll get the answers to as soon as possible.
Kentucky a Finalist for Quintin Simmons
When you were reading about Quintin Simmons yesterday on First Down Kentucky, he was releasing his top six schools. Kentucky is one of the finalists, along with Michigan, Penn State, West Virginia, Syracuse, and his hometown team, Cincinnati. Simmons catches passes, runs the football and returns kicks for Withrow High School. WR Chris Henry Jr. is a top 10 player in the 2026 recruiting class and CB Terhyon Nichols was a Top 200 player in the 2024 class. Simmons shined catching passes and returning kicks alongside those players. That’s a sign of more good things to come.
RIP UGA X
The most successful mascot in the history of Georgia football has crossed the rainbow bridge. The tenth iteration of UGA lived just shy of 11 years. He began his duties on the sideline between the hedges in 2015. During his time as the official Bulldog, Georgia went 91-18, won two National Championships, two SEC Championships, and made the trip to seven New Year’s Six Bowls. He also survived an attack from a Texas Longhorn. That’s a life well lived.
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Unexpected Shine for a Former Kentucky Wildcat
NFL Draft analysts are beginning to dig into the tape to prepare for this year’s event in Detroit. During this time of year there’s always an underclassmen or two that unexpectedly shines who distracts the experts from their primary subject. If you recall, Will Levis became a bonafide draft prospect when the Draft community watched tape on the dominant 2021 Georgia defense.
Deone Walker will likely join that company this offseason, but another name from the past made an unexpected cameo. Field Yates has been tasked to improve his draft chops in the absence of Todd McShay. He was blown away by former Wildcat Chris Lewis this fall at Troy.
Bob Baffert Finally Conceded the Derby Disqualification
If you’re new here, you probably don’t know that I love to pick the ponies. Not only am I KSR’s resident horse racing handicapper, I’m also the leader of the Bob Baffert is The Worst Club. There are many reasons why I’m not a fan of the Hall of Fame trainer. Most of it has nothing to do with how many times he’s been caught cheating. He gets the best bred thoroughbreds and they win 5-horse fields at Santa Anita. It’s infuriating and impossible to win money at the ticket window.
The latest grievance with Baffert stems from his 2021 Kentucky Derby. Mandaloun was going to fill up my wallet that Saturday, but his cheating horse finished first. Tickets were long cashed when Medina Spirit was disqualified for failing a raceday drug test. There were suspensions, investigations, appeals, and litigation. Almost three years later Baffert finally decided to drop the lawsuit and move on. He must have a few good horses preparing for the First Saturday in May at Kentucky Derby 150.
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