Transfer Quarterback Excited to Play in First Game at Kentucky

Kentucky will get their 2024 season underway on Saturday night as they face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The Wildcats will see some new faces at important positions, most notably a new quarterback and offensive coordinator. They're also bringing back a lot of experience from last year. As for the offense itself, there is some unknown there considering new people at some of the more important player and coaching positions.

As for Kentucky's new quarterback and transfer from Georgia, Brock Vandagriff, he's excited to step on the field in game action for the first time as a Wildcat. But, with the excitement comes preparation. In a different offensive system, he and the others who are Freshman or transfers, have to learn the ins and outs of how Kentucky prepares for each game and the system in which they play. Vandagriff says the game week routine and preparation is a little different at Kentucky, but in the SEC, it's just as intense at every school.

"It's a little different, but at the end of the day, everything is pretty similar," Vandagriff said. "Getting ready for game week in the SEC is pretty intense wherever you're at. Getting used to some of the stuff we do here, whether that's different lift times, I've obviously got a different class schedule than I had last semester. Stuff like that. So it's been pretty good getting used to it so far."

Now, talking season is over and it's time for teams to go out and show the work they have put in all summer. Vandagriff is excited for his first game at Kentucky. "Just ready to go, really against somebody not wearing blue and white is the main thing," Vandagriff said. "Been hitting these dudes since spring, winter, stuff like that. Been conditioning with them, fussing with them, stuff like that. Just ready to get out there and go see if our plays work."

Vandagriff also talked about his emotions he usually has before games. "Always kind of get pretty emotional just walking out on the stadium, whether I'm a third-string guy, fourth-string guy, second, first it doesn't even matter. It's kind of just a testament to, like, I love ball. Walking out there, I'll probably get a little teary-eyed and stuff, but that's what it's all about. Probably gonna be some nerves, but that means you care at the end of the day. Looking forward to that, and that's what you do it for. The BBN, the people, your friends and family, coaches."

Big Blue Nation probably has the same level of excitement waiting for kickoff on Saturday night as Vandagriff does. The season-opening game against Southern Miss is set for 7:55 p.m. ET, and you can watch on the SEC Network.