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Zach Calzada

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Zach Calzada
Frankfurt Galaxy
PositionQuarterback
CFL statusAmerican
Personal information
Born (2000-11-08) November 8, 2000 (age 25)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High schoolLanier (Sugar Hill, Georgia)
College
NFL draft2026: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
  • Southland Player of the Year (2024)
  • 2× First-team All-Southland (2023, 2024)
  • Southland Newcomer of the Year (2023)

Zach Calzada (born November 8, 2000) is an American professional football quarterback. He previously played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, the Texas A&M Aggies, the Auburn Tigers, and the Incarnate Word Cardinals.

Early life

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Calzada grew up in Sugar Hill, Georgia and attended Lanier High School.[1][2] He missed a large portion of his senior season after suffering a cracked rib and a punctured lung in the third game of the year. Calzada eventually returned to play and finished the season with 122 completions on 240 pass attempts for 14 touchdowns and was named an Under Armour All-American as Lanier reached the state semifinals.[3] He finished his high school career with 3,429 yards and 29 touchdowns on 238 of 467 passing.[4] Calzada was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Texas A&M over offers from North Carolina State, North Carolina, and Georgia.[5]

College career

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Texas A&M

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As a freshman, Calzada completed 12 of 24 pass attempts for 133 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.[6] Calzada did not see any playing time during the 2020 season.[7]

Calzada competed for the starting quarterback spot going into the 2021 season, but Haynes King was ultimately chosen.[8] Calzada was named the Aggies starter following an injury to King in the second game of the season.[9] He completed 21 of 31 passes for 285 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a 41–38 upset victory over top-ranked Alabama.[10] Following the game, Calzada was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the Davey O'Brien Award Player of the Week, and the Maxwell Award Player of the Week.[11] Calzada finished the season with 2,185 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in ten starts.[12]

On December 13, 2021, Calzada announced he would be transferring from Texas A&M, via social media.[13]

Auburn

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On January 6, 2022, Calzada announced he would transfer to Auburn University.[14] On December 5, 2022, Calzada announced he would enter the transfer portal again.[15]

Incarnate Word

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On January 11, 2023, Calzada announced he would transfer to The University of the Incarnate Word, an FCS school located in San Antonio, Texas.[16] He was named the Cardinals' starting quarterback entering his first season with the team.[17]

Kentucky

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On December 19, 2024, Calzada transferred to Kentucky.[18] He began the 2025 season as the Wildcats' starting quarterback, making his debut against Toledo. In the 24–16 victory, he completed 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards and an interception while rushing for a touchdown. The following week against No. 20 Ole Miss, he suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of a 30–23 loss.[19] He was subsequently replaced as the starting quarterback by Cutter Boley.[20] Later that season, a private video Calzada had sent to a fan in response to criticism of his play was posted publicly on social media, showing him displaying a large amount of cash and boasting about the NIL money he had received from Kentucky.[21] Calzada later issued a public apology on Instagram, writing, "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."[22][23]

Statistics

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Season Team Games Record Passing Rushing
GPGSCmpAttPctYardsTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2019 Texas A&M 30—122450.013321115.7500.00
2020 Texas A&M Did not play
2021 Texas A&M 12106–418432856.32,185179123.735−9−0.31
2022 Auburn Did not play
2023 Incarnate Word 986–218828366.42,598199159.334571.75
2024 Incarnate Word 141411–334352465.53,744359144.11053323.25
2025 Kentucky 321–1285848.32380275.814231.61
Career[24]413424–107591,22062.28,9457330138.81934031.612

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in
(1.91 m)		222 lb
(101 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		6 ft 4+3⁄8 in
(1.94 m)		4.69 s1.61 s2.73 s4.26 s7.25 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
All values from Pro Day[25]

On April 28, 2026, Calzada signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[26] He was released by the Redblacks on May 13.[27]

On June 11, 2026, Calzada signed with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the Indoor Football League (IFL).[28] He made his IFL debut two days later against the New Mexico Chupacabras, completing 12 of 17 passes for 187 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 36 yards and three touchdowns in a 74–18 victory. He accounted for eight total touchdowns and was named the IFL Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.[29] On the season, he appeared in three games, completing 34 of 72 passes for 404 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 82 yards and three touchdowns.[30]

On July 26, 2026, Calzada signed with the Frankfurt Galaxy in the European Football Alliance (EFA).[31]

Personal life

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Calzada is a Cuban American.[32] His sister Carolyn Calzada is a soccer player.[33]

References

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  1. ↑ Zwermeman, Brent (November 21, 2019). "A&M was clear-cut choice for Georgian Zach Calzada". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Lanier's Zach Calzada commits to Texas A&M football". Gwinnett Daily Post's GwinnettPrepSports.com. June 14, 2018. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ Brown, Travis (August 20, 2021). "High school adversity primed Texas A&M quarterback for his first start Saturday". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ Young, RJ (August 27, 2021). "SEC PREVIEW: ALABAMA RELOADS, BUT GEORGIA COULD STEM THE TIDE". FoxSports.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Report: Status of longtime 2019 Texas A&M QB commit Zach Calzada uncertain ahead of early signing day". The Dallas Morning News. December 18, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Fisher waiting to name starting QB as Calzada, King make progress". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Despite limited experience, Texas A&M is confident in Zach Calzada taking over as starting quarterback". The Dallas Morning News. September 13, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  8. ↑ Zwerneman, Brent (August 25, 2021). "Haynes King beats out Zach Calzada to be Texas A&M's starting quarterback". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  9. ↑ Khan Jr., Sam (September 16, 2021). "What to expect from Texas A&M QB Zach Calzada? Will Houston's recruiting improve in the Big 12? Ask the Texpert". The Athletic. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  10. ↑ Talty, John (October 12, 2021). "Stephen Garcia remembers 2010 Alabama upset, offers Zach Calzada advice". AL.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Lanier grad Zach Calzada earns Davey O'Brien national award, SEC honors after upset of Alabama". Gwinnett Daily Post. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  12. ↑ Toppmeyer, Blake; Adams, John (December 15, 2021). "Where should Bo Nix, Max Johnson, Zach Calzada transfer? Here are some SEC schools in need". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  13. ↑ Jeyarajah, Shehan (December 13, 2021). "Texas A&M QB Zach Calzada enters transfer portal after starting 10 games, leading Alabama upset in 2021 season". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ Scarborough, Alex (January 6, 2022). "Ex-Texas A&M QB Zach Calzada commits to Auburn out of college football transfer portal". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Chris Hummer".
  16. ↑ Flaherty, Kevin (January 11, 2023). "Texas A&M, Auburn ex Zach Calzada to transfer to Incarnate Word". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ Hogue, Cory (August 21, 2023). "Former Texas A&M quarterback chosen to lead UIW's potent offense". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Zach Calzada". 247Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ Bromberg, Nick (September 10, 2025). "Kentucky making QB switch from Zach Calzada to Cutter Boley ahead of Week 3: Reports". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  20. ↑ Weber, Alex (November 7, 2025). "SEC quarterback flexes NIL money in viral video following mid-season benching". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  21. ↑ Dodd, Dennis (November 7, 2025). "Zach Calzada video: Kentucky QB shows off money despite benching". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  22. ↑ Schlabach, Mark (November 7, 2025). "Kentucky QB Zach Calzada sorry for video flaunting NIL money". ESPN. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  23. ↑ Hale, Jon (November 7, 2025). "UK QB apologizes for video bragging about NIL money he sent to social media critic". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Zach Calzada Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Zach Calzada College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Redblacks sign former Wildcats QB Calzada". TSN.ca. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  27. ↑ "REDBLACKS transactions May 13". OttawaRedblacks.com. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ "June Transactions 2026". goifl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  29. ↑ "IFL Players of the Week: Week 14". goifl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Zachary Calzada Career Statistics". goifl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  32. ↑ Villa, Walter (October 26, 2021). "Columbus QB finds a Cuban-American role model at Texas A&M". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  33. ↑ "A&M QB Calzada's younger sister commits to Aggies". 247Sports. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
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