#5

Zach Calzada

QB · Kentucky · Sr. · #5

Returning to Kentucky for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Zach Calzada

QB · Kentucky · Sr · #5

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
No recruit profile
CFB
College
2 teams
2021–2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2021Texas A&M8-4HC: Jimbo Fisher · Balanced
2025Kentucky5-7HC: Mark Stoops · Run-leaning

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Kentucky285848.3%2384.10275.8----
2021Texas A&M18432856.1%2,1856.7179123.7----
Career21238654.9%2,4236.31711116.5----
SeasonTeam
2025Kentucky14231.61--
2021Texas A&M35-9-0.31--
Career49140.32--

How he plays

Play style

Operates within the system without forcing anything.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Kentucky

Updated May 27

2026 Depth chart

Returning starter

Quarterback · Kentucky

Returning around him

  • 27% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • 4 Kentucky players drafted to NFL
  • Transfer portal: +2 net (29 in / 27 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Kentucky · Last season: 5-7 · Talent rank #27 · 2026 recruiting class #60

DNA match

Player DNA

Pocket Passer

Balanced passer who operates within the system, without one standout number carrying the profile.

QB

His 2021 production profile sits closest to Spencer Petras’s 2021 season.

Iowa · 2021

#2

Brady White

Memphis · 2020

Campbell
65%
#3

Brandon Peters

Illinois · 2021

64%
#4

Graham Mertz

Wisconsin · 2021

NFL Rd 6
63%
#5

Michael Pratt

Tulane · 2021

NFL Rd 7
61%

Matches Spencer on

EPA / dropback (adj)
Height

Differs from Spencer on

TD rate (higher)
Rush yards / carry (higher)
Total pass EPA (college ability) (higher)

Through 3 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Michael Alaimo’s path through Kent State.

Kent State · 2023

#2

Jack Turner

Louisiana Tech · 2024

88%
#3

Jacob Free

Troy · 2020

88%
#4

Sam Noyer

Oregon State · 2021

87%
#5

Grant Wilson

Old Dominion · 2024

86%

Matches Michael on

Height
Yards per attempt
Completion %
202120232025

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Grayson Loftis's freshman season at Duke (2023).

Duke · 2023

#2

Kaden Anderson

Wyoming · 2024

62%
#3

Grant Wilson

Old Dominion · 2023

61%
#4

Fernando Mendoza

California · 2023

Davey O'BrienHeismanManningNFL Rd 1 · Pk 1
58%
#5

Gavin Hardison

UTEP · 2020

57%

Matches Grayson on

Yards / attempt
Total pass EPA (college ability)

Differs from Grayson on

Class year (higher)
Weight (higher)
Height (higher)

Player DNA

Players who play like Zach Calzada

#1

Michael Alaimo

Kent State · 2023

98%
#2

Jack Turner

Louisiana Tech · 2023

88%
#3

Matt Myers

Buffalo · 2021

86%
#4

Cornelious Brown

Georgia State · 2021

86%
#5

AJ Padgett

Rice · 2023

84%

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #702

Final rank
#1017
Avg #879.3
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #702 this season.

Development

Development Trajectory · passing yards

2021–2025
2,1852021
2382025

-89%

Sharp dropoff (-89%) — career inflection point.