Transfer QB Zach Calzada to Visit Kentucky

When the day started, we were unclear on who Kentucky was targeting on the transfer portal at the quarterback position. At the end of the day we have two confirmed visitors.

Former Texas/Duke QB Malik Murphy was on campus today for an official visit. KSR has learned that Kentucky expects Zach Calzada to arrive in Lexington for an official visit on Tuesday.

Calzada is a college football prospect whose career started in the SEC. As a redshirt freshman at Texas A&M, he was unexpectedly called into action when Haynes King suffered a broken leg against Colorado. Calzada threw the go-ahead, game-winning touchdown with 2:41 on the clock.

The Georgia native became a household name in the state of Texas when he had the best game of his career against Nick Saban’s top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Calzada completed 21-31 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-38 victory, helping Jimbo Fisher secure his biggest win in College Station.

Calzada transferred to Auburn for Bryan Harsin’s sophomore and final season. The quarterback did not play until undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. That’s where Calzada hit the portal again, this time dropping to the FCS ranks.

Over the past two years, Calzada has been putting up numbers on Incarnate Word. In 2023, he was third in the FCS with 288.7 yards per game. He completed 66.4% of his passes for 2,598 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. This fall, those stats were even better. He completed just 66% of his passes for 3,744 yards, 35 touchdowns (No. 2 in FCS) and nine more interceptions serve Southland Football Player of the Year honors.

Incarnate Word’s season ended this weekend in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. He entered the transfer portal on Monday as a graduate transfer.

The Kentucky football depth chart has three freshmen at quarterback. The Wildcats need more experience and this guy has plenty of it.

Before you ask, there’s no way to tell what this visit means for Kentucky’s chances with Maalik Murphy or how it will shake out. Kentucky is bringing in multiple players who play the same position throughout the month of December. The more potential opportunities they have to correct the offense, the better.

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