Zach Calzada is getting paid a lot of money to play college football at Kentucky. The seventh-year backup quarterback loves to flaunt his wealth, which got him in some trouble earlier this week.
He and starting quarterback Cutter Boley doubled down on the controversy during a blowout win over Florida on Saturday.
They hit the money sign like Johnny Manziel to celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter. That might ruffle the feathers of some college football fans in Lexington!
Zach Calzada is getting paid a lot of money at Kentucky.
At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Calzada was rated as a three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2019. The Georgia-native committed to Texas A&M over 43 other offers from schools like Louisville, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Kent State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, FIU and Eastern Kentucky.
He played sparingly in three games as a freshman, did not see the field in 2020, and took over as the starting quarterback after an injury to Haynes King in 2021. The Aggies went 6-4 during that stretch.
Calzada ultimately transferred to Auburn but he did not play a single down in 2022.
That led him to Incarnate Word. He went 17-5 in 22 games as the starter for the Cardinals. They went 11-3 in 2024 and their quarterback threw for more than 3,700 yards and 35 touchdowns.
With six years of college football behind him, Zach Calzada was preparing for the NFL Draft process when Kentucky called up with an offer to play year seven. The Wildcats paid him ~$1.25 million.
And then head coach Mark Stoops decided to bench Calzada in favor of redshirt freshman Cutter Boley after a poor performance after Week 2. He completed less than 50% of his pass attempts for less than 250 yards with an interception and no touchdowns. Yikes.
Kentucky’s quarterbacks celebrated controversy.
To the credit of Zach Calzada, he initially showed the utmost respect for Stoops’ decision to start Boley. The seventh-year senior stayed right by the young signal-caller’s side throughout the entire benching process and made sure to work closely with him along the way.
By all accounts, Calzada has been in Boley’s corner since the jump. And why wouldn’t he be?
I would love to get paid seven figures to be a backup college quarterback at 25 years old.
However, that money recently got him in a little bit of trouble. Calzada responded to a troll on Snapchat by flaunting his wealth in a somewhat embarrassing video, which was later made public.
The backlash led to an apology:
“To my teammates, coaches, and anyone who has ever believed in me: I take full responsibility for the video I sent to someone on social media. I let my emotions get the best of me. It does not reflect the gratitude I should share as a member of the Kentucky Football team. I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches and our fans. I’ll learn from this, do better, and move forward with more respect for the opportunity I’ve been given.”
That was on Friday. He effectively doubled down on Saturday.
Zach Calzada and Cutter Boley celebrated a big play against Florida by flashing the money hand sign.
Cutter Boley & Zach Calzada getting the money. pic.twitter.com/ScnwYzHRvQ
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) November 9, 2025
Quite the contrast from his apology less than 36 hours prior! And if I’m being honest, I kinda love it. This Kentucky team is obviously playing with a chip on its shoulder. Their quarterbacks are having fun.
The post Kentucky Quarterback Zach Calzada Mocks NIL Money Controversy By Flaunting Seven-Figure Paycheck appeared first on BroBible.
Kentucky Quarterback Zach Calzada Mocks NIL Money Controversy By Flaunting Seven-Figure Paycheck
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