Bush Hamdan speaks to the media
Kentucky’s offensive performance in 2024 was, to put it bluntly, lackluster. Fans entered the season with cautious optimism, anticipating a revitalized unit led by a new quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, and a cadre of talented yet unproven weapons. However, the results fell far short of expectations, leaving the Wildcats’ faithful searching for answers. As the 2025 season looms, the program stands at a crossroads, with new faces, renewed strategies, and mounting pressure to deliver. Can Kentucky’s offense rise from the ashes of a disappointing campaign?A Disappointing
2024: Missed opportunities and struggles
The 2024 season was a struggle for Kentucky’s offense, which ranked a dismal 111th out of 130 FBS teams in passing yards. Brock Vandagriff, a former five-star quarterback who transferred from Georgia, was expected to unlock the potential of Kentucky’s receiving corps. Instead, he faced relentless pressure behind a porous offensive line, finishing the year with 1,593 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions—a far cry from the expectations set for him. Wide receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown, both entering their junior seasons with significant hype, had mixed results.
Key posted career highs with 47 receptions for 715 yards, but Brown struggled, recording career lows in receptions (38) and yards (432), compounded by critical drops that cost Kentucky winnable games. Brown’s dynamic kick-return ability remained a bright spot, as he gained 449 yards on kickoffs and took 1 to the house, but his receiving production failed to match his sophomore-year output of 43 receptions for 539 yards and four touchdowns. The offense’s struggles were not solely on the players; an injury-plagued Devin Leary in 2023 caused Rich Scangarello to be fired after one year; and a shaky offensive line in 2024 exposed systemic issues that offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan must now address in year 2.
A new era in 2025: Fresh faces, familiar leadership
The 2025 season brings a near-complete overhaul of Kentucky’s offensive personnel, with 30 of the team’s 57 players being newcomers. Despite the roster turnover, the coaching staff remains largely intact, a point of emphasis for Hamdan. “Staff stability is critical,” he noted. “In year two, everyone being on the same page allows us to build continuity and execute with precision.” Yet, the challenge of integrating so many new players is daunting. Hamdan acknowledged this, stating, “With 30 new faces, it’s a good challenge, but one we must address to bring this offense together.” At the forefront of this transformation is quarterback Zach Calzada, a seasoned transfer from Incarnate Word with a proven track record. In 2024, Calzada threw for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns with a 65.5% completion rate, while adding 332 rushing yards and five scores. His FBS experience at Texas A&M in 2021, where he recorded 2,185 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 starts, further bolsters his credentials.
Across his college career, Calzada has amassed 8,660 passing yards, 73 touchdowns, and a 141.4 passer rating, complemented by 11 rushing touchdowns. Hamdan, while optimistic, tempered expectations: “Zach brings a wealth of experience, but we’re taking it one day at a time as he develops within our system.”
Joining Calzada is Kendrick Law, a multidimensional slot receiver from Alabama with SEC experience and explosive athleticism. Over three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Law recorded 33 receptions for 343 yards and one touchdown, along with 536 kickoff return yards at a 24.4-yard average. Known for his physicality as a blocker and versatility in short-yardage situations, Law is poised to thrive in Hamdan’s quick-game offensive scheme. “Kendrick brings physicality and explosiveness,” Hamdan said. “He’s a player we need to get the ball to.”
With Kentucky’s renewed focus on injury prevention and speed training, Law appears healthier and more dynamic than during his injury-plagued 2024 season at Alabama. Coaches envision him leading the team in slot snaps, serving as the primary kickoff returner, and acting as a gadget player in the run-pass game.
Pressure mounts for Mark Stoops and staff
The 2024 season was a low point for Kentucky, culminating in a 4–8 record that exposed deficiencies in discipline and direction. A particularly embarrassing moment—a player spotted at the concession stand during a game—underscored the team’s lack of focus. The coaching staff’s reluctance to accept accountability further eroded fan confidence. The offseason brought additional challenges, with key players transferring out and longtime recruiter Vince Marrow defecting to in-state rival Louisville.
Now, in 2025, head coach Mark Stoops faces intense scrutiny. The fanbase’s patience is wearing thin, and another subpar season could have significant repercussions. With a revamped roster, a stable coaching staff, and dynamic new additions like Calzada and Law, Kentucky has the pieces to turn things around. The question remains: Can Stoops and Hamdan harness this potential to restore the program’s pride?
Looking ahead: Can Kentucky’s offense rebound?
The 2025 season offers Kentucky a chance to rewrite its narrative. With a veteran quarterback in Calzada, a versatile playmaker in Law, and a coaching staff determined to build on last year’s lessons, the Wildcats have the tools to improve. However, success hinges on Hamdan’s ability to unify a roster filled with new faces and overcome the offensive line woes that plagued the team in 2024. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Lexington to see if Kentucky can deliver a performance worthy of its passionate fanbase—or if the frustrations of 2024 will linger into another disappointing campaign.