There are few football coaches as accomplished as Kirby Smart, and when he gets misty-eyed while talking about a former player – there’s something unique about that connection. The head coach of the Bulldogs, just like every other player and coach, has competed against his former players and coaches. However, there is a catch! Smart has never faced a former quarterback. Well, that is set to change in Georgia’s Week 3 match-up against the Kentucky Wildcats. 

That former quarterback is Brock Vandagriff, who is the starting QB for the Wildcats this season. Talking to the media about the game, Georgia HC was full of praise for his former player. “I have a lot of respect for Brock. What Brock did for this university was awesome. He was a wonderful teammate and was just a great kid. He always put the team first.” Smart emphasized Vandagriff’s commitment and the impact that he had on the mood within the team.

As a highly-touted 5-star recruit in 2021, Brock Vandagriff had dreams and aspirations to make it to the top. However, during his first three years at the Bulldogs, he did not get that opportunity. In the 2023 season, Vandagriff was the backup QB against Carson Beck for the No. 1 ranked team in college football. Despite that, as per Smart, “He did anything and everything that could in any way benefit the team.” 

However, when it became apparent that Carson Beck was returning to Kirby Smart’s team for the 2024 season, Vandagriff decided to try his luck with the transfer portal. Having already graduated from Georgia, Brock chose to take his talents to Kentucky in the hope of showcasing his capabilities. 

Brock Vandergriff’s journey at Kentucky so far

The Wildcats finished the 2023 season with a record of 7-6. Naturally, the Bulldogs’ fans must be wondering how their backup QB has fared for Kentucky in his first two starts. We are here to tell you everything. Brock’s first game with Kentucky? A perfect start with a 31-0 victory over Southern Miss. He completed 12 out of 18 passes for 169 yards and had three touchdowns. In addition, he had 35 rushing yards.

However, the Wildcats didn’t have a good Week 2, losing 6-31 against South Carolina in a tough match-up. Just like the whole team, Brock also did not have a good game. But there are signs of a bright future. Kirby Smart would hope that his former QB does not display those signs against the Bulldogs. For Brock, this could be a perfect addition to his storyline. Going against his former Head Coach in a game featuring an underdog versus the No. 1 ranked college team. We can’t wait for Saturday, September 14!