Gavin Wimsatt (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops has yet to name a starting quarterback, but Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff appears to be the frontrunner for the job less than a week into fall workouts.
Vandagriff will be counted on to provide the leadership to run first-year Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s offense and is prepared to do what it takes to lead the Wildcats this season.
“Leadership is very important in the quarterback position. It’s actually like what my Masters is in communications and leadership development. I’ve been able to take some of the stuff from the classroom and put it on the field,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure you lead your ship. Like, that’s basically how I define leadership … making sure you have command of the offense and making sure everybody’s on the same page at all times.”
In addition to Vandagriff, Hamdan also has been impressed with Rutgers transfer and Owensboro native Gavin Wimsatt, who gives the Wildcats another option in the pocket. Winsatt is known as a running quarterback and could bring back the “Wildcat” package, which has been shelved during the past few seasons.
“We think he’s one of the best ball carriers we have as well,” Hamdan said. “It’s on us to be creative, making sure it’s a package he can handle but also can handle going in and being the full-time quarterback if needed there. It’s something we’re working on.”
Vandagriff likes having Wimsatt as an option as well, which he says, gives the Wildcats’ offense more variety and room to be creative.
“He’s another great dude to have in the quarterback room,” Vandagriff said. “He takes his reps seriously when he’s in there and we’re all learning from each other. He was a great addition for the quarterback room.”
Stoops likes having Vandagriff and Wimsatt in the fold, but added Beau Allen also will provide depth at quarterback.
“Brock has done a very good job and we are excited about him, also Gavin, and what he brings to the table and he’s got some snaps under his belt in the Big Ten,” Stoops said. “He is a big strong guy and he can throw it and he can run. It was also very good to bring Beau back.
“You have seen what can happen in years past when you’re not deep in that position. Some funny things can happen, so we do think that we have some quality depth in that position.”
4 Responses
Quality depth is only real if some real game snaps are given to backups. Both backups need to get a series late in the 1st 2 games after UK has a 25+ point lead, to prepare for UGA. Even if a QB is unexpectedly out for 1 series, the backup needs to have a little experience in a crunch.
Just make it happen. UK has been terrible at letting ANY backup QB get snaps until an emergency makes it necessary and then the backup is shell shocked entering the game.
Brock & the rest of the offense needs to rack up at least 10 points per quarter and the D needs to hold opponents to an average of 4 per quarter. It’s time for UK to put up numbers to match the talent on the team this season.
40-14 would be a nice average after winning thr first 3 games.
If he is one of the best runners on the team you could line him up in the backfield at running back while Brock is the QB once the defense breaks threw Brock could do a pitch to WIMSATT and he could launch it down the field to a wide open receiver. I would definitely have a package that has Gavin at running back or in the slot and he could move in motion like a jet sweep only to catch the sweep and hit the tight end over the middle wide open. I missed my calling as a offensive coordinator. Their is just so much you can do when you have 2 QBs and one can run the ball probably better than any back besides chip. I’m super excited to see what kind of plays Bush can come up with. Their are so many weapons on the offense. As long as the line can hold for a adequate 3 or 4 seconds we should be able to punish the whole SEC this year.
I’m like Little Baron, This one area that Stoops doesn’t utilize his backup QB much. If he doesn’t change his coaching of not using his backup QB’s, I’m afraid he will have a hard time to recruit the QB he wants.
Always like it when someone agrees. We’re all part of the BBN!
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