Stoops, Hamdan like leadership, talent in Kentucky's quarterback room

Kentucky has made a habit of restocking its quarterback room via the transfer portal over the years with varying levels of success. Although Brock Vandagriff may not have the experience that Devin Leary or even Will Levis did heading into his first season in Lexington, both Mark Stoops and Bush Hamdan are confident the Georgia transfer is ready to lead Kentucky’s offense. They also like the variety of weapons behind him.

Stoops broke down each of his quarterbacks at Media Day. He started with the only signal caller that didn’t come from the transfer portal, freshman Cutter Boley. Stoops said the staff is excited about the four-star standout from Lexington Christian’s potential — and the time he’ll be able to have to develop thanks to Vandagriff and the rest of the room.

“Offensively again, there’s some guys that played a lot,” Stoops said. “I think we supplemented in some areas that we needed to, certainly in the quarterback position. We’ve gone to the portal for several years now. We feel really good about the high school guy we took in Cutter [Boley]. He’s gonna be a special player but we want to give him time to mature and grow. But Brock [Vandagriff] has done a very good job and we’re excited about him.”

Brock Vandagriff is a “consummate pro”

Vandagriff comes to Kentucky after three seasons at Georgia, where he was a member of two national championship squads. The former five-star played behind Carson Beck, appearing in 13 games, completing 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, and running the ball six times for 46 yards. Vandagriff has had a lot of new things thrown at him since arriving in Lexington — including a new offensive coordinator — but Hamdan likes what he’s seeing so far, especially in the locker room.

“I think so much of it is a leadership part. You’re a new guy coming into a new program, new offensive coordinator. So much is about the scheme and the plays, but don’t lose sight of what that looks like when you’re in a locker room and building those relationships with the guys as the true signal caller. Certainly from a play style standpoint, it always comes down to accuracy, to decision making, toughness, but we really don’t want to lose sight of that leadership part.”

Hamdan said Vandagriff has picked up his new system so far, comparing his skillset and the fit to Brady Cook at Missouri, Taylen Green at Arkansas, and Maddux Madsen, his former quarterback at Boise State. Most of all, he likes Vandagriff’s dedication, noting that the junior is already scouting opponents.

“He’s a consummate pro; I’ve said that multiple times. This is a big-time football league. We get done with practices at 6:30 and he wants to be up in the facility. He’s already watching games on opponents, all those types of things. We know at this position, it comes down to kind of locking yourself in that room if you will, taking aside what the naysayers have to say, and just working and keep getting better every day and I think he’s a guy that understands that.”

Thanks to Kentucky Football’s social media team, we got a glimpse of the budding chemistry between Vandagriff and Barion Brown in camp thus far:

Love to see it. pic.twitter.com/mpgznKuh0R

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 1, 2024

Making plays on day one. pic.twitter.com/e44DolWuys

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 31, 2024

Gavin Wimsatt in the Wildcat?

Hamdan praised Vandagriff’s ability to run, but Kentucky also has another deadly set of wheels in Rutgers transfer Gavin Wimsatt, a former star at Owensboro High School. Over three seasons at Rutgers, Wimsatt completed 212 of 455 passes for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns and also rushed for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns on 180 carries. Hamdan says it’s very early, but the staff is intrigued by Wimsatt’s size, talent, and experience, which can give the Cats’ offense another dimension in certain situations.

“We’re only two or three practices in so I would definitely agree with that. I think we’re going to utilize in a lot of those Wildcat-type situations at the very least, but we know this, you guys know this about this conference, you have the opportunity to acquire talent and you’ve got to do that. He’s a big, physical talented player. I think when you guys get the opportunity to see him at practice, you’ll see how dynamic of a player he is. And so a little bit of a wait-and-see on how that role goes.”

Stoops is also looking forward to seeing how the Cats can use Wimsatt this season.

“And then also Gavin [Wimsatt] and what he brings to the table. When he’s got some snaps under his belt in the Big 10. He’s a big strong guy who can throw it, he can run.”

Add in Beau Allen, who returns to Kentucky after a season at Georgia Southern and one at Tarleton State and you’ve got a pretty deep quarterback room. As Stoops said, in the SEC, that’s a blessing.

“You’ve seen what happened in years past when you’re not deep at that position. Some funny things can happen. So we feel like we do have some really quality depth at that position.”