Catching Up With Jack Callaghan '25

7/23/2026

The path has been long, occasionally devious, and sometimes fraught with obstacles.

That’s precisely why Jack Callaghan chose it.

That’s why he’s savoring every minute of it.

The 2025 Collegiate graduate was Collegiate’s starting quarterback from 2022 through 2024, and during those three seasons, he completed 355 passes in 714 attempts for 4,314 yards and 43 touchdowns and rushed 123 times for 540 yards and another four scores.

Because he displayed talent and an uncommon work ethic, strong leadership skills, and poise under pressure, he received a host of offers to continue his career at the next level. When the University of Richmond made its pitch, though, he jumped at the opportunity to join the Spiders’ program.

“The coaching staff is amazing, and it’s close to home,” he said. “It’s a great academic school. There’s more than football post-college, and I was thinking about my future. I knew Richmond would help me succeed.”

So far, so good, he says. A 6-foot-2, 225-pound redshirt Freshman and communications major who’s fully recovered from hip surgery this past November, Callaghan is eager to test his skill and football acumen in live game action. That said, there’re no guarantees since the Spiders, a Patriot League signatory, are strong and deep at his position.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” he said. “All the guys in our quarterback room are very talented. They each have a unique skill set. Learning from them and competing against them is really good for me.”

One recent morning following a 6 a.m. team workout at UR’s Robins Stadium, Callaghan spoke of his journey and his motivation for testing himself against tough competition.

How did you manage the transition from high school to college football?

It was definitely hard. You’re going against the best of the best. It was a challenge I expected and a challenge I was excited for, to be honest. I’ve always been a competitor. Being able to compete against guys who are great at what they do is always something you want to do. I love it. It helps me get better every single day.

How did you stay connected during your redshirt year?

I always prepared for the game. Somebody could always go down. They had three quarterbacks go down the year before. I was the third string for half the season and the backup for half the season. You put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Being able to prep every week because you might get to play is a lot of fun. During games, I was one of the signal callers. I’d signal in either the play or the decoy play, so your head’s always in the game.

What lessons did you learn during your redshirt year?

It was challenging not getting on the field, but I feel like it was good. I reset. It took me back to my Freshman year (at Collegiate) when I played behind Owen Fallon and was able to learn the system and learn the ropes from someone older. That sets you up for success in the future, especially if you accept that role, lean into it, and take it with pride.

In what areas have you improved?

My speed has gotten better, and I’ve gotten a lot bigger. I feel like I’m understanding the game more and can depict defenses and understand what they’re trying to do.

In what areas do you still need to improve?

I’ll always be trying to improve. I can always get faster and quicker. I can always improve my footwork and decision making. I can always clean up my mechanics and make sure they’re as clean as possible.

Speak to the importance of having a strong work ethic.

In my opinion, there’s no such thing as being perfect. I’m trying to strive for excellence every day. It’s really me versus me. I don’t dwell on the past. I learn from it, move on, compete that day, and try to continue to get better.

What’s the allure of playing quarterback?

I definitely play it because it’s hard. It’s one of the harder positions in all sports. I always think back to why I got into football. Little Jack always wanted to play quarterback, but he was never the size to play quarterback. When I got the opportunity, I rode with it to prove my younger self right and make him proud. My dream has always been to be a college quarterback. Now that I’m living that dream, I’m trying to make younger Jack proud.

How do you measure personal success as a quarterback?

Success for me is getting better every day, even if I don’t ever get that opportunity to start or be All-Patriot League or lead my team to a national championship. It’s being the best leader I can be. It’s leading by example. It’s having people see my work ethic and who I am on and off the field. Improving in those aspects will be success for me regardless of whether I get to prove myself on the field or not.

Considering UR’s stable of quarterbacks and the transfer portal, are you at Richmond to stay? Or is that to be determined? And you don’t need to answer.

I’m at Richmond to stay. I’ll be here for four years and potentially a fifth year if the opportunity presents itself. I love Richmond. It’s a great culture to be part of, and it’s really nice to be close to home, especially having (four) younger siblings and being able to see them grow up while I enjoy the college experience as well. So, yes. I’m definitely here to stay.

~Weldon Bradshaw

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