Meeting Brock Vandagriff

Brock Vandagriff loves playing football, could not be happier after transferring to Kentucky from Georgia, and expects UK to have a terrific 2024 season.

However, nothing is more important to the quarterback than his faith.

“With football I know we I could throw for five touchdowns and 700 yards and run for 400 yards and we win by 82 (points) or I could throw three picks, get sacked six times and five be my fault and my family would treat me the same and I would get the same amount of texts,” Vandagriff said.

“I am more than a football player. I find my identity in Christ. Football is great but it is just a platform for me. I hope others see that in me and the overflow of my heart in my faith. Football is just a game and whatever happens I prepare as hard as I can and get in position to win but in the end I am a follower of Christ.”

Vandagriff was the No. 4 quarterback coming out of high school in the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and was a highly sought after prospect when he decided to transfer to UK after being part of two national championship teams at Georgia. He picked Kentucky before he even visited Lexington because he knew that was the right spot for him after talking to UK coach Mark Stoops.

So how has life in Lexington been for him?

“It’s getting better. I mark down how many days since the last snow because that kind of weather was not that enjoyable,” the Georgia native said. “Driving in the snow for the fi rst time was interesting. I do like to be outside as much as I can.”

Greg Vandagriff coached his son at Prince Avenue Christian School in Georgia. Before that Brad Johnson, a 17-year NFL quarterback who led Tampa Bay to the 2002 Super Bowl, coached the current UK quarterback in middle school.

“My dad was never a quarterback coach. He was a defensive guy until my ninth grade year when his offensive coordinator passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer,” Vandagriff said. “He called both sides of the ball that year.”

Vandagriff was a slot receiver his freshman season-—his father’s second year as head coach—because the returning quarterback was 28–2 as a starter.

“My dad said he wasn’t even going to see if I was the better quarterback,” the UK quarterback said. “I learned to play slot and started the sixth or seventh game. I learned a lot but I did not win much on man routes.”

His sisters are exceptional athletes, too. Audrey is an Alabama state track champion in the sprints and Anna is a sophomore volleyball player at Eastern Kentucky University. “Our family is very competitive but that made us all better,” he said.

“I do not want to take the highs too high or lows too low. If you win, people are ready to vote for you for the Heisman. If you lose, you are the worst player ever. I just make sure I stay on that steady course and stay away from the highs and lows.”

UK Athletics