Zach Calzada flashing $100 bills at critics is a new low for Kentucky’s QB mess

Zach Calzada came to Kentucky with a desire to prove he could quarterback at the highest level in the SEC. The young man did help Texas A&M beat Alabama, after all. He has elite skills and a good arm.

But injuries derailed his Auburn transfer, and he landed at Incarnate Word, the same program that rehabilitated Cam Ward into a star for Miami and an eventual No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The path was set for a comeback for an older veteran.

Mark Stoops and his staff, apparently unsold on Cutter Boley leading the charge as a redshirt freshman, hit the portal hard to find a quarterback. Maalik Murphy was the first choice, but he cost too much and they moved elsewhere. Bush Hamdan found his guy and they signed Calzada to be "the guy."

It just didn't work.

Mark Stoops' hand-picked QB creates a hand-picked problem

We can't blame it all on Zach though. He was coming from a spread, up-tempo style, much like Devin Leary did a few years back, and was forced to play in the slow, grind-fest that is a Mark Stoops offense. It's hard to find a real rhythm when you go multiple plays without throwing a pass, and he struggled mightily. It was just a poor fit both player and program, which raises questions about the staff's ability to recruit well.

Then Calzada got hurt. Cutter Boley stepped in and has looked better ever since.

But you have to remember: Calzada is a guy this staff scouted, vetted, and paid to come be the QB at Kentucky. This coaching staff hand-picked him. That money could have been spent elsewhere like in the secondary or a better WR.

That decision led to a viral moment earlier this season where even Calzada himself was caught on camera asking "what are we doing?" in reference to his own team's play-calling.

Now, we have another head-scratching turn. After apparently being criticized online, Calzada decided to make another video. This time, he's seen counting $100 bills and telling the person to "go get some money."

That is as big of a red flag about the QB search process as thinking Cutter Boley wasn't good enough to lead your team. It's a real black eye on the coaching staff and their ability to find and refine talent.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion