"Kentucky destroyed that poor man" "Respect": CFB world divided over Wildcats QB Brock Vandagriff's retirement decision

Brock Vandagriff won't be seen again on the gridiron, at least not in a playing capacity. This decision follows the season finale where Cutter Boley took over as quarterback, leading to a shakeup in the QB room. The changes prompted Gavin Wimsatt to enter the transfer portal, while Zach Calzada was brought in from the portal.

With limited prospects ahead, Jon Hale of the Lexington Herald-Leader confirmed Vandagriff's retirement.

"NEW: While Brock Vandagriff did not enter the transfer portal this month, he is not returning to UK. After one season starting at Kentucky, he is retiring from playing football, Vandagriff confirmed Sunday through a UK spokeswoman," Hale wrote.

Fans attacked the program and identified reasons that led the former five-star recruit to retire with one year of eligibility remaining.

"Poor guy got set up to fail," one fan commented.

"BBN destroyed this dudes mental health im sure 😂 We can be the worst sometimes…Hope he made a sht ton of NIL money cause he seems like a genuinely good dude," another wrote.

"Kentucky destroyed that poor man," one fan added.

"Am I missing something? I have never heard of a notable player, with such enormous potential, retire from their sport in college. I trust Kirby's "recrootin'" I wonder whether it might be something genuinely personal, instead. Prayers for Brock. Lord, please have mercy," another fan pointed.

"Smart decision young man. I’m so sorry what they done to you," another user said.

Kirby Smart's recruit Brock Vandagriff couldn't make it big in college football

Brock Vandagriff was a five-star high school recruit from the 2021 class whom Georgia's Kirby Smart managed to flip from playing under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. However, he had to settle for a backup role under Carson Beck in 2023 and never got a full-fledged opportunity, leading him to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.

After starting 11 games with a 4-7 record, it became clear that the weak offensive line was a significant issue for Vandagriff. He threw for 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions, completing just 57.3% of his passes.

In the season finale, the Wildcats looked to the future by starting backup Cutter Boley, which was the final nail in the coffin for Vandagriff.

“I think everybody knows what Brock Vandagriff is all about,” offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said after announcing Boley would start the finale. “I can’t say enough about him. He’s given everything he can to this program and just continues to get better.”

Faced with the choice of entering the transfer portal or leaving football, he ultimately decided to retire.