Cutter Boley is the guy at Arizona State.
The junior Kentucky transfer has been named the Sun Devils’ starting quarterback for the 2026 season, a move that had been widely expected since he arrived in Tempe. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the decision on X Saturday morning before ASU took the practice field, and the quarterback room was informed the night before, according to Thamel.
ASU coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed the call after practice and made clear why Boley came out on top.
"We think Cutter is the best opportunity for us to go win football games," he said, per Brad Denny of AZ Family. "We feel like he deserves it and he won it."
Boley beat out sixth-year Michigan transfer Mikey Keene and freshman four-star Jake Fette for the job. Dillingham also credited the whole quarterback room for the progress it made over the offseason.
Boley brings real game experience with him from Kentucky. In two seasons with the Wildcats, he started 11 games and threw for 2,498 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also running for two more scores. The concern is the ball security: he was intercepted 16 times across those two seasons, including 12 picks in 2025.
Dillingham pointed to that experience when talking about what Boley brings to the position.
"The experience to play at a high level is huge, because the lights aren't going to be too bright for him," Dillingham said on Boley playing in the SEC, per Denny. "At least he understands what the biggest atmospheres in college football look like."
Boley won’t have to do it alone. ASU added senior wide receivers Omarion Miller and Reed Harris, two transfers who give the offense proven targets and help ease the transition for the new starter.
The Sun Devils open the season one week from now against Morgan State at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 5.