The Kentucky Wildcats are bracing for a significant change as starting quarterback Cutter Boley has announced his decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The news comes as a surprise, particularly since Boley, a standout from Lexington Christian Academy, was expected to lead the Wildcats in the upcoming 2026 season.
As a redshirt sophomore next year, Boley still has three years of eligibility left. During the recent season, he demonstrated solid performance, completing 65.8% of his passes with 2,160 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over the course of 10 games, following his initial stint on the bench behind Zach Calzada. His efficiency metrics included a 63.3 QBR and a 134.5 passer rating, earning him a spot on the All-SEC Freshman Team.
This development poses a major question for head coach Will Stein and his staff regarding who will take over the quarterback position in the first year of his coaching tenure. With the possibility of Boley returning still on the table, history shows that it’s not uncommon for players to explore transfer opportunities before deciding to stay at their original schools.
As it stands, Boley seems poised to begin the next chapter of his football career at a different institution when the 2026 college football season commences. With this transition, it is now imperative for the Wildcats’ coaching team to identify their next starting quarterback.