The one issue Kentucky football has faced in the last few seasons is its quarterback room, and Calzada brings his experience to a team that is in desperate need of hitting the ground running.
Most expect when the season starts for QB1 to be Calzada, and he brings a ton of experience to the team as he’s bounced around the SEC the last few seasons and Incarnate Word. The highlight of his long career was back in 2021 when he played quarterback at the University of Texas A&M and then upset No. 1 Alabama.
His big game resulted in 285 passing yards and three touchdowns.
After playing at Texas A&M in his final year during the 2021 season, Calzada transferred to Auburn, and several challenging circumstances arose, including a Shoulder injury, a difficult coaching situation, and a year that tested him frequently through various life obstacles.
From Auburn, he was given another opportunity at Incarnate Word, an FCS school. He made the most of it by throwing for 6,342 yards and 54 touchdowns, leading them to a 17-5 record while rediscovering his game and his chance at being a high-level player again.
Rooting for Zach Calzada is easy because he’s the type of guy who, no matter the situation, is going to make the most of his chances and seems to be falling into place for him once again.
Back to the SEC, where he first started, this feels like an opportunity of a lifetime for a player who envisioned his career coming to an end after leaving Auburn. He will be one of the oldest players in college football at 27 years old, having been with seven teams and worn seven helmets throughout a wild ride.
This is like a redemption story in a sense; his first crack at his former team, Auburn, comes on November 1st, and it presents an opportunity to look back on the moments and make this one a special one.
This has been a test of faith and hard work for Zach Calzada, and his moment to shine is finally here. It’s up to him to tune out the noise, focus, and get the ball rolling.
As the season approaches, it’s one of those years that could go either way for Kentucky football. It could lead to a surprising bowl season that fans would love or another year like last season, where things spiral out of control down the stretch.
Kentucky is coming off a 4-8 season, which included a 1-7 conference record and poor quarterback play. While that was not the only reason for their struggles, many questions remain unanswered as we approach the finish line and the start of the college football season.
Can the offensive line be improved? Can the quarterback play get better? Can Kentucky actually complete a pass? Yes, that’s a legitimate question because last season it felt like Kentucky struggled to even reach midfield, let alone have an opportunity to score.
It was a disaster starting from the Ole Miss win onward, and nothing seemed to get sorted out.
Zach Calzada is a player you root for, and with one final season ahead of him, he has the chance to drown out the critics and do something special.
This could also mark the end of the Mark Stoops era if there’s no bowl game. It’s time to focus on what might be the most important season in Kentucky football history.
For more Kentucky Football coverage, Click here. Kentucky Football’s Offense Must Get Off The Mat In 2025
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