Brock Vandagriff is also waiting for Liam Coen's final decision
Kentucky’s offensive roster appears improved heading into 2024. The Wildcats get some key pieces back at wide receiver, tight end, and the offensive line. Depth at multiple spots has been addressed through the transfer portal. There are reasons to believe this offense will take a step forward this upcoming season.
That will all be tied to the sport’s most important position.
After spending his first three years at Georgia, former five-star recruit Brock Vandagriff is now a member of the Kentucky football program. The redshirt junior is Kentucky’s new QB1 who will bring inexperience to Lexington along with a bundle of physical traits. Vandagriff has a high ceiling, and Kentucky is hoping he comes close to reaching his potential in 2024.
One of the main reasons why Vandagriff picked Kentucky was due to offensive coordinator Liam Coen. However, Kentucky’s play-caller is in the middle of a job search involving the Chicago Bears. That has put things in a holding pattern.
In a recent interview with WKYT, Vandagriff dished on the Coen situation and how the locker room is handling the issue.
“That’s something a couple of the mid-year guys have talked about. Ja’Mori [Maclin] reached out and Beau Allen. We were texting about it,” Vandagriff told WKYT. “Honestly, college football is a business and Coach Coen I would just want him to do what’s best for his family because I trust Coach Coen. I love Coach Coen.”
“Just at the end of the day, if that’s what his future is to stay at Kentucky then we would love that. That’s why I came here is for Coach Coen, football’s a business. Just whatever he does I want to make sure he’s happy at the end of the day.”
Coen played a key role in the recruitment of Brock Vandagriff, Ja’Mori Maclin, Cutter Boley, and others on the offensive roster. A sudden departure could cause some players to look elsewhere if that comes. But for now, Coen is a University of Kentucky employee. The players are the Joe Craft Football Training Facility are playing the waiting game.
“We would love for him to stay, and that’s what we’re all hoping for,” Vandagriff said.
Kentucky was an easy decision for Brock Vandagriff
When Brock Vandagriff finally made the decision to leave Georgia, it did not take the high-profile quarterback long to find a new home. The Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian product knew exactly what he was looking for.
Kentucky had some scheme similarities with Georgia and that checked a big box for the transfer.
“I felt like Georgia fit my skill set pretty well for a quarterback. I feel like Kentucky’s offense is pretty similar. That pro-style offense. I love Coach Coen. Got to speak with him a bunch after I entered the portal and Coach [Mark] Stoops,” Vandagriff said. “I was like, heck, why would I drag it out if I know this is pretty much where I want to go.”
“I wouldn’t even say there was a No. 2. I love Kentucky, I love the coaches, I got to speak with some of the players, and I loved everything about it. Why would I drag it out?”
Under Todd Monken and Mike Bobo at Georgia, Brock Vandagriff ran a pro-style offense that blended some more modern spread concepts. At Kentucky, Vandagriff will do the same under Liam Coen assuming there isn’t a coaching change.
The fit was obvious in Lexington for the SEC transfer.
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