UK Athletics Photo
Coaches, especially in the Southeastern Conference, often feel they can never have enough quarterbacks which helps explain why former Owensboro standout Gavin Wimsatt signed with Kentucky Tuesday after spending the three previous seasons at Rutgers.
However, it’s a bit harder to figure why Wimsatt decided UK was the best fit for him knowing that Kentucky brought in Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff to be its starting quarterback in 2024 and 2025.
“We are excited to add Gavin to our program,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said in a release from UK. “Game experience is extremely valuable at quarterback and this is a unique opportunity to add talent and experience to the room.”
Wimsatt certainly has more experience than Vandagriff, who was a backup at Georgia, and way more than UK backup quarterbacks Beau Allen and Cutter Boley, a true freshman.
The 6-3, 225-pound Wimsatt threw for 1,735 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 starts in 2023 when he also threw eight interceptions. He also ran for 497 yards and 11 scores on 131 carries.
He started 19 games and played in 25 games during his three years at Rutgers. Wimsatt completed 212 of 455 passes for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns with 17 interceptions. The former Owensboro star also ran for 11 scores and 628 yards and 180 carries.
Wimsatt was a four-star recruit who threw for 5,304 yards and 62 scores. He was in the 2022 recruiting class before playing the first three games of his 2021 high school season and then announcing he had completed requirements for early graduation after a 49-42 win over rival Davis County. He enrolled at Rutgers for the 2021 season.
Many thought he was leaning to UK before he left high school early and picked Rutgers amid speculation he was going to receive a huge NIL bonus for signing when he did.
Wimsatt was good at Rutgers but not great. He completed 47 percent of his passes and had more interceptions than touchdowns.
Rutgers had a winning season in 2023 but coach Greg Schiano announced that Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis won the starting job in spring practice.
Vandagriff, a five-star recruit, did not play a lot in three seasons at Georgia, including two seasons when the Bulldogs won the national title. He came out of spring practice as UK’s No. 1 quarterback.
Kentucky lost 2023 starting quarterback Devin Leary to the NFL and three other quarterbacks — Kaiya Sheron (UT Martin), Deuce Hogan (New Mexico State) and Destin Wade (Colorado) — all transferred.
Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan likes the quarterback run package and may see a fit for Wimsatt in certain packages as well as an experienced backup with Big Ten starting experience if Vandagriff is injured or struggles.
Wimsatt and Vandagriff both have two years of eligibility remaining and maybe Wimsatt just decided he wanted to be back closer to home and is willing to accept whatever role Hamdan and UK have in mind for him.
7 Responses
Remember me saying this… Brock will only be at Kentucky for one year. If he has the season like I think he will have he will only be here one year. This is why they added Gavin and was looking for another quarterback so much. With Gavin if Brock does leave after this year you will have a 5th year senior quarterback who will be able to utilize his feet a little more than the last 3 Qbs before him. I think Brock will be the best quarterback we have ever seen here at Kentucky. I think Brock is gone after this year Barion is gone after this year. Key is 50/50 after this year. Deone Walker is in his last year. So if we are going to get it done this year is the year we have been building up for. Next year unless we get some major help from the portal will be another 7-5 season. IM STILL STICKING WITH MY GUNS AND SAYING THIS YEAR WILL BE A 9-3 OR 10-2 SEASON. WE WILL SEE VERY SOON.
QB run packages work in college football but you need a running back or tight end masqueraded as a QB to succeed in the long term. Just too much wear and tear for a pure QB. Secondly, when you feature the QB run package, you’re telling your competition you don’t have quality at the other skill positions which allows them to stack their defense. Having a QB run as an option is successful when you want to keep the defense honest.
I think the Cats have the tools for a 10 – 2 season if all the stars line up correctly.
I agree. We have offensive line man that have played 6and started for 6 and 7 years and thats where it all starts. I see us losing to Georgia and either ole miss or texas. I think we split them games. Win one and lose one.
I agree with 9-3 or 10-2 (my top expectation + big bowl win for 11-2).
Expect stellar job by Brock to be 1 of best 3 to 6 UK QB in history w/Tim Couch, Babe Parelli & maybe Frank Ramsey, Will Levis(?) in 2021 & the best QB under Brooks (name?).
Stoops raised the UK FB bar & needs to recover from last 2 seasons.
The talent level overall may be the best or nearly best in Stoops’ era.
UK has Walker, an awesome GIANT on D, who is going to break some records & other talent/ experience to limit double teaming him.
I agree the talent level is great across the board this year. We are finally going to see what Stoops really is as the head coach of kentucky. He has everything just how he likes it and I’m anxious to see what happens. Basically if we can’t get it done this year then I think it might not ever happen. We are losing so much star power after this year so this is it. If we have a big year we can build off this year. Our defense is so athletic, talented and experienced. Oxendine, Silver, Walker, Hayes, Rybka, Weaver, Jackson, Pop, Matthews, Rayner, Hairston, Dunn, Waller, Robinson. We are stacked on defense. Plus we had the best defensive recruiting class in Stoops tenure they are learning behind great players. That’s what keeps the flow going. Our offense is stacked. Chip, Brock, Brown, Key, Maclin, Farrier, Cox, Cox, Mincey, Ray, Burton, Christman, Farmer. We have a ton of great players on this team
When is the last time Kentucky had four, four star qb’s in that room? Granted stars do not always equate success but still it’s remarkable that the room has this much potential like never before.
You got that right Matt. Can never have too many