In a surprising turn of events, Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Brock Vandagriff has announced his retirement from college football, effective immediately. The decision comes despite Vandagriff having one year of eligibility remaining.
Vandagriff, a five-star recruit from Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia, initially committed to Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Georgia in 2020. During his tenure with the Bulldogs, he served primarily as a backup quarterback but played a pivotal role in their back-to-back national championship victories in 2021 and 2022.
In December 2023, Vandagriff entered the transfer portal and subsequently joined the Kentucky Wildcats. He started the first 11 games of the 2024 season, leading the team to a 4-7 record. Notably, he was benched at halftime during the Week 13 game against Texas in favor of freshman Cutter Boley, a move that many believe may have influenced his decision to retire.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Vandagriff threw for 1,593 yards, completing 57% of his passes (125-of-218) with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Throughout his four-year collegiate career, he amassed 1,758 yards and 12 touchdowns on 137-of-239 passing.
Vandagriff’s decision to retire has left the Wildcats’ quarterback position uncertain. Backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 9, further complicating the team’s quarterback situation. Freshman Cutter Boley remains the only scholarship quarterback on the roster, with former Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada, who transferred from Incarnate Word, expected to compete for the starting role in spring practice.
Vandagriff’s retirement is particularly surprising given his significant NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) valuation of $310,000, placing him at No. 305 in the College Football NIL rankings. His abrupt departure raises questions about the Wildcats’ quarterback strategy moving forward.
As the Wildcats prepare for the upcoming season, the coaching staff will need to address the quarterback position to ensure the team’s competitiveness in the Southeastern Conference.
