After a challenging 2024 season that saw the Kentucky Wildcats finish with a disappointing 4-8 record and a mere 1-7 in the SEC, head coach Mark Stoops is eager to turn things around in 2025. With the pressure on to improve, a significant part of that revival will hinge on the performance of quarterback Zach Calzada.
Experience Matters
Calzada, a transfer from Incarnate Word, has a wealth of experience that Stoops believes will be invaluable to the team. Having previously played at Texas A&M and Auburn, he’s no stranger to the rigors of college football. Stoops highlighted this experience during a recent appearance on SportsCenter, emphasizing how crucial it is for the Wildcats.
“The first thing with Zach is the experience,” Stoops stated. “We have a tremendously talented youngster in Cutter Boley that we believe in strongly, but I wanted to give it a good balance. With Zach, as you mentioned, he won eight games in this league, which is hard to do. He brings a wealth of experience and he’s a guy who’s very mature, very tough, and so we have a lot of confidence in him.”
A Proven Track Record
Calzada certainly has the credentials to back up Stoops’ confidence. His college football journey began in 2019, where he took a redshirt year. The 2020 season didn’t count against anyone’s eligibility, allowing him to gain valuable experience. However, his 2022 season at Auburn was cut short due to shoulder surgery, which sidelined him for the entire year.
Despite these setbacks, Calzada has proven himself at the FCS level. In his last season at Incarnate Word, he showcased his skills by completing 65.5% of his passes for an impressive 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns, while only throwing nine interceptions. Additionally, he added 332 rushing yards and five touchdowns to his impressive stats.
Learning from the Best
The 2021 season marked Calzada’s most significant playing time in the FBS, where he played for Texas A&M. During that season, he completed 56.1% of his passes for 2,185 yards, tossing 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Now, he’s ready to take on a new challenge under the guidance of offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan.
Calzada has expressed enthusiasm about Hamdan’s offensive philosophy, which he believes bears similarities to the system run by Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M. “That was one of the most important things on my visit. Me and Coach Bush sat down for a while, just going through his philosophy, his schemes, and what he wants to do on offense. I really, really liked it,” Calzada shared.
Pro-Style Offense
What excites Calzada the most is the pro-style nature of Hamdan’s offense. “It reminded me similar to Coach Fisher’s offense that we ran, just with regards to the thought that goes into it in the run game, the play-action passes, quick-game, drop back passes. It’s very much a pro-style offense. I think especially wanting to play at the next level, I think having success in this offense will check every box,” he explained.
This familiarity could be a game-changer for Calzada, allowing him to leverage his past experiences and adapt quickly to his new environment. It’s clear that Stoops and his coaching staff are banking on Calzada’s ability to lead the Wildcats back to prominence.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
As the Wildcats gear up for the 2025 season, they will kick things off at home against Toledo. This matchup marks the beginning of three consecutive home games, a perfect opportunity for Kentucky to set the tone for the season.
The Wildcats are hungry for redemption after last year’s struggles, and with a seasoned quarterback like Calzada at the helm, there’s a renewed sense of optimism in Lexington. Fans are eager to see how the team will perform and whether they can improve on their previous season’s performance.
The Road to Recovery
Stoops has a history of successfully integrating high-profile quarterback transfers into his program. His previous stints with quarterbacks like Will Levis, Devin Leary, and Brock Vandagriff have shown that he knows how to maximize talent from the Transfer Portal.
With Calzada now in the mix, the Wildcats are poised for a fresh start. Can they rise from the ashes of last season? Will Calzada’s experience and skill translate into wins on the field? The answers to these questions will unfold as the season progresses.
As fans eagerly await the kickoff, one thing is certain: college football is back, and the Kentucky Wildcats are ready to make their mark in 2025!
