Kentucky QB Zach Calzada shows off NIL cash to critics on social media

Kentucky has pivoted to former high school recruit Cutter Boley at quarterback. The Cats have found some traction on offense since the former four-star recruit out of Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy became QB1. But that wasn’t the plan. The plan was to go transfer portal shopping again.

The Cats vetted several targets in the portal but ultimately landed on Incarnate Word transfer Zach Calzada. A class of 2019 recruit, Calzada led his program to a Southland Conference title and the FCS semifinals in 2024 when he threw for 3,744 yards and accumulated 40 total touchdowns over 14 games. The former Texas A&M and Auburn quarterback would spend his seventh and final season at Kentucky.

However, his run as the program’s starting quarterback lasted just two games. Calzada suffered a shoulder injury in a Week 2 loss to Ole Miss and has not seen the field since. But UK still had to pay to get the veteran quarterback on the roster.

On Thursday, Zach Calzada showed off some of that NIL cash in a response to criticism on social media.

Zach Calzada flexing his money, even though he got benched for Cutter Boley 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/VrVEXfb6Sy

— My Thoughts (@mythoughtskc) November 6, 2025

Last November, a picture of Kentucky starting right tackle Gerald Mincey went viral when he was at the concession stand during the final home game against Louisville. Similar to Calzada, Mincey was a multi-time transfer who was brought in to fill a key position but was ultimately injured and never returned to the lineup. Now Calzada is having his viral moment as a former multi-time transfer who is not playing but has made quite the splash on social media.

The original video now has over one million views on X. This is a story that is now starting to get picked up by national media. Some of the culture concerns and criticism from last season have gone away after UK’s huge roster rebuild in the transfer portal, but those questions are now starting to pop up again in Big Blue Nation after yet another viral moment from a transfer who is not playing after being added to fill a key starting spot.

UPDATE: Zach Calzada Issues an Apology

On Friday afternoon at approximately 4:30 PM ET, the Kentucky quarterback broke his silence with an apology on his Instagram story.

“To my teammates, coaches, and anyone who has ever believed in me: I take full responsibility for the video I sent to someone on social media. I let my emotions get the best of me. It does not reflect the gratitude I should share as a member of the Kentucky Football team. I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches and our fans. I’ll learn from this, do better, and move forward with more respect for the opportunity I’ve been given.”