UK QB Nik Scalzo looks to overcome two ACL tears after reaching fame on Netflix’s QB1
LEXINGTON, Ky. (BVM) — In the third season of the Netflix docuseries “QB1: Beyond the Lights,” which follows the exploits of high school quarterbacks, current University of Kentucky redshirt sophomore quarterback Nik Scalzo was heavily featured. At the time, Scalzo was a senior quarterback leading his Florida-based Cardinal Gibbons football team as they tried to make it to the state championship.
The journey was a challenging one for Scalzo. That season, the senior would suffer one of the most difficult challenges of his career when he tore his ACL in the regional semifinal game. The moment was palpable for a consensus three-star prospect looking to take his game to the Power 5 level at Kentucky and the cameras captured it all.
Played my last high school football game this past Friday. Unfortunately I tore my ACL. Praying for a quick and speedy recovery. Can’t wait to watch and cheer my boys on Friday. Once a Chief, always a Chief #CB4L This is only the beginning… #bbn can’t wait to be a wildcat! pic.twitter.com/8Egeu9C41Y
— Nik Scalzo (@NikScalzo) November 21, 2018
For Scalzo, seeing the moment again months later as the rest of the world got to witness it was a unique but introspective moment.
Thankfully for the quarterback, the injury wouldn’t cost him his shot with the Wildcats. After about nine months of recovery, Scalzo was back on the field, this time trying to prove he could have the same abilities he showed prior to the injury. Given his small frame, measuring only 6-feet tall and 178 pounds, the freshman had some questions he was hoping to answer with his penchant for making plays with both his arms and legs. Unfortunately, Scalzo would once again face a hurdle when he would tear the same ACL during his inaugural fall camp at UK. It was a blow for the quarterback looking to prove he was not only skilled, but durable as well.
Though forced to miss the entirety of his first season with the Wildcats, Scalzo would get to enjoy a successful campaign for the team on the sidelines. That season, the Wildcats would finish the year 8-5 with a victory in the Belk Bowl. The victory further motivated Scalzo to return to 100% to help be an integral part of the team for a future bowl win.
Life would once again throw the quarterback a curveball. While he began slowly working his way back, taking the field with the team again during winter training and some spring practices, the outside world was thrown into chaos with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wildcats team practices would be canceled as the university quickly tried to find ways to combat the impending virus, which meant Scalzo was losing valuable time to build up his on-field experience and connections with his teammates.
Faced with another grueling offseason, this time not due to injury but forces outside of his control, Scalzo dove head first into training. Scalzo would spend hours working on his throws, running quarterback drills and throwing passes to socially distanced receivers. The work not only helped him keep his arm fresh for when he would get back on the field officially, but also gave him the chance to test his knee against cutting and stressful movements.
When the Wildcats finally returned to the field in the fall, Scalzo was there. Working as a practice quarterback, Scalzo finally got the opportunity he had wanted for so long–full contact work. Though there was an adjustment period for Scalzo, he slowly felt like his old self playing at the quarterback position. With full trust in his leg, he began showing flashes of the dual-threat recruit from Cardinal Gibbons once again.
Though Scalzo wouldn’t see the field during the season, the fact he was able to finish the year healthy was a win for the redshirt freshman and a huge step in the right direction. During the offseason, Scalzo would enter his name into the transfer portal, but after weighing his options would return to the team that took a chance on him when he was considered an undersized highschooler.
Now, with his knee fully healed and his confidence back, Scalzo will look to once again be the quarterback everybody knows from his time on QB1. With the recent NIL news for NCAA athletes, Scalzo has even embraced his Netflix roots with t-shirt designs based on his time at Cardinal Gibbons.
Excited to partner up with @theplayerstrunk to come out with my first custom shirts and hoodies! For all my QB1 fans you know exactly what this shirt represents! For all my UK fans, don’t worry,I’ll have another drop before the season starts. link in my bio!Thanks for the support pic.twitter.com/FdLEd7sAPf
— Nik Scalzo (@NikScalzo) July 13, 2021
With plenty of fans who know his story, Scalzo will have a tremendous amount of support from those who wish to see him return to form. Adversity is nothing new for Scalzo, he’s been put through the ringer, so he will be prepared to overcome whatever obstacles the world throws at him next. He has unfinished business.
Slow and steady… pic.twitter.com/8adyCrdk0Q
— Nik Scalzo (@NikScalzo) August 26, 2020
