Once a five-star recruit and Gatorade National Player of the Year, Brock Vandagriff has announced that he will be retiring from football. He will do so after just one season as the starting quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats. Now working as a medical device sales representative for Zimmer Biomet, Vandagriff reflects on his football journey.
Brock Vandagriff Retires From Football After 1 Season at Kentucky
The former Georgia backup originally transferred to Kentucky to get more playing time, but after a season filled with injuries and team struggles, he’s opted to step away from the sport.
After the 2024 season concluded, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops expressed interest in having Vandagriff return for another year. However, Vandagriff had already made up his mind. He chose to retire from the sport and pursue a career outside of athletics.
Vandagriff shared his thoughts on his decision, telling Ryne Dennis of the Athens Banner-Herald:
“I’m so happy at where I’m at in life right now, I don’t think there’s any number, any program that could make me come back.
“It wasn’t like I was fired up to go in there every day. As a quarterback that’s kind of what you need. Your team relies on you and I didn’t feel like I was able to be at my best every day because of the whole situation.”
As a five-star recruit, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He initially committed to Oklahoma before de-committing and choosing to play for Georgia. Despite his talent, he spent his time at Georgia mostly as a backup, sitting behind quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett.
Vandagriff’s lack of playing time at Georgia left him wanting more, and as a result, he transferred to Kentucky in search of a starting job after riding the pine for three seasons.
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In Lexington, Vandagriff hoped to find success and make a name for himself. However, his time with the Wildcats proved to be just as challenging. His season was marked by both physical injuries and underwhelming team performance.
Despite a few bright spots, including a big win over Ole Miss, the Wildcats finished with a disappointing 4-7 record. Vandagriff played through injuries like an ankle sprain, knee issues, an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, and a concussion, all of which hampered his ability to play at his best.
Vandagriff’s Stats and Performance During the 2024 Season
During the 2024 season, Vandagriff threw for 1,593 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a completion rate of 57.3%. His play was inconsistent, and while he had solid moments, the Wildcats’ offense struggled, ranking 112th nationally in passing.
Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, left the program before the season, and though the team eventually hired Bush Hamdan, the offense didn’t improve much.
Despite the struggles, Vandagriff had a standout performance in a road win over Ole Miss, where he threw for 243 yards and a touchdown. However, the Wildcats’ overall performance didn’t match the expectations for a team with a starting quarterback of Vandagriff’s caliber.
The offensive struggles, combined with Vandagriff’s injuries, left him in a difficult position, which made it much harder for him to showcase his full potential.
While football was once a huge part of his life, Vandagriff’s focus has now shifted. He now sees his future in the medical device industry, where he can apply the discipline and focus that helped him succeed in football.
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