by LARRY VAUGHT
Calzada has completed 731 of 1,163 passes for 8,707 yards and 73 touchdowns with 28 interceptions in his collegiate career. He has also rushed 179 times for 381 yards and 11 scores. He’s also 23-9 as a starting college quarterback.
That led to head coach Mark Stoops, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and other UK coaches watching film of Calzada.
“We really liked this kid. You start doing more research on him. He was a big-time kid coming out of high school who went to A&M and won four or five SEC games as a redshirt freshman. He’s a very mature guy and we really liked him,” Marrow said.
“He’s a big kid but he can also move. That’s what I love about him. He just had the command and understanding that it takes to be a leader.”
Marrow also likes what redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley offers.
“I really like Cutter. Cutter is a big dude too. I was looking at him the other day and how he has grown,” Marrow said. “He’s a big dude and it is going to be interesting. We have two good freshmen (Stone Saunders and Brennen Ward) that we brought in at quarterback but I really like what we got with Cutter and Zach.”
Marrow likes Calzada’s physical and mental toughness.
“It says a lot when you drop down a level to play. Then they come back hungry to show what they can do when they get a second chance. That’s why I think Zach is really gonna surprise a lot of people.”
Hamdan knows Calzada’s athleticism will continue to surprise many who have not seen him play regularly.
“Naturally, he’s got a big arm. For him, it’s going to be the accuracy and taking a little bit off of it at times to throw a catchable ball,” Hamdan said. “He’s a big, strong, physical kid. He likes making big plays. It’s always going to come down to decision-making and accuracy, and that’s what we’re striving for him to do.”
