When Tennessee football heads to Lexington to play Kentucky this year, the Vols will likely go up against UK quarterback Zach Calzada. The incoming Wildcats transfer was named the starter by Mark Stoops on Monday, according to a report from ESPN.
When Tennessee meets Kentucky on the gridiron this year on Oct. 25, Calzada will be just a couple of weeks away from turning 25 years old. He has already spent time at two previous SEC institutions before starring at Incarnate Word for the past two years.
In 2024, Calzada threw for a staggering 3,744 yards to go with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 332 yards and five scores. He was ultimately named the Southland Player of the Year, First-Team All-Southland and AP All-American Honorable Mention.
In 2023, also with Incarnate Word, Calzada threw for 2,598 yards along with 19 touchdowns and nine picks. He ran for 57 yards and five touchdowns. That first year with the FCS school saw him named Southland Newcomer of the Year and to the First-Team All-Southland squad.
More From RTI: WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel and Players Preview Vols’ Game Against Syracuse
Before dropping to the FCS level, Calzada played at both Texas A&M and Auburn. In 2019, as a true freshman with the Aggies, he completed 12-of-24 passes for 133 yards. He threw two touchdowns and one interception. In the following 2020 season, Calzada did not see any playing time.
In 2021, he lost the battle for the starting job to now Georgia Tech signal caller Haynes King. When King suffered an early injury, Calzada stepped into the role anyway. He threw for 2,185 yards to go with 17 touchdowns and nine picks in 10 starts. After the year, he entered the transfer portal.
In 2022, Calzada transferred to Auburn. However, his tenure there was short as he transferred out following a season of no play time.
Now, he is in year seven of his college career as he takes over the Kentucky quarterback job. Kickoff between Tennessee and UK is set for Oct. 25 in the night slate. That means it’ll begin between 6 and 8 p.m. ET. It will be held in Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky, with no TV designation determined to this point.
