Brock Vandagriff will be Teary-Eyed but also Jacked Up for First UK Start

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He’s played three years of college football but has only 76 offensive snaps and has never started a game. However, that changes for Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff Saturday night when he will be Kentucky’s starting quarterback against Southern Mississippi.

Vandagriff has not tried to downplay how special his first start will be.

“I always kind of get pretty emotional just walking out in the stadium whether I’m the third string guy, fourth string guy, second, first, don’t even matter. I think it’s just kind of a testament to I just love ball and walking out there, probably getting a little teary-eyed and stuff,” Vandagriff said.

“That’s what it’s all about. Obviously, going to be some nerves, and that means you care at the end of the day. We’re looking forward to that, and that’s what you do it for. The BBN, friends, family and coaches. it all comes full circle when you go out there and want to do your best.”

Vandagriff said he really didn’t have any pregame rituals or superstitions and never really has. Instead he believes “luck favors those who are prepared” and he does his preparation. However, could he love football too much?

“I love football, and I’m ready to play. It’s kind of bad I don’t even really tell the coaches, but I will not sleep the night before at all. Just so jacked up,” Vandagriff said. “The same thing before I go hunting — I love it.”

No sleep? Not sure that is what any coach would want to hear about his starting quarterback’s sleep plans the night before a game.

Vandagriff remembers his first game as a starting quarterback his sophomore season in high school when he thinks he had a couple of rushing touchdowns but was “all jacked up” the night before that game.

Even though he’s not started a college game, he already knew “game week in the SEC is pretty intense wherever you’re at” and whatever spot you are on the depth chart.

He noted at Georgia it “didn’t matter if he was starting or not” that he did the same pregame preparation as the starter.

“I have been used to getting ready for games in the SEC,” he said. “I am ready to go against somebody not wearing blue and white. I have been hitting these dudes since spring and fussing with them. Just ready to get out there and go see if our plays work and hopefully they do. We are looking forward to a good game.”

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops likes the chemistry Vandagriff has developed with teammates.

“Anybody who talks to you about Brock will tell you that he’s a great human being. His father’s a high school coach, and he grew up in that. He just wants to work hard. He’s in the facility all the time, and he works at it. Great young man and great personality,” Stoops said on the SEC teleconference.

“He’s very easy to get along with, but yet has the comfort level to demand things from the receivers and take over from the leadership role in the summer and organize throwing sessions and 7-on-7s and things of that nature. So I feel like it’s been good, and we’ll continue to keep growing in that area as the season goes on.”