When Will Stein took the reins as Kentucky’s new head football coach, he knew exactly where to start: the quarterback room. It’s the heartbeat of any offense, and after losing last year’s starter Cutter Boley - the in-state standout who’s now at Arizona State - Stein wasted no time reshaping the depth chart.
“Wish him nothing but the best,” Stein said of Boley. The two had a prior connection from Stein’s days at Oregon, and while Kentucky put together a strong pitch to keep him, it ultimately didn’t pan out. No hard feelings - just the nature of the modern college football landscape.
To fill the void, Stein turned to the transfer portal and landed Kenny Minchey, a redshirt sophomore from Notre Dame with two years of eligibility left. Minchey wasn’t just a depth add - he’s a legitimate contender for the starting job. And Stein’s excitement about him is clear.
“He’s got great athleticism,” Stein said. “Phenomenal person, very smart.”
That last part isn’t just coach-speak. Kentucky did its homework, and the feedback was glowing - even from inside Notre Dame’s program.
According to Stein, some believed the Irish could’ve still won 10 games with Minchey under center.
Minchey’s numbers, while limited, offer a glimpse of his potential. In six appearances, he completed 77 percent of his 26 passes for 196 yards and added 84 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Small sample size? Sure.
But enough to intrigue both coaches and NFL scouts.
“We talked to NFL scouts on him,” Stein added. “They feel like he’s got a really high upside.”
But Minchey isn’t the only new face in the room. Kentucky also signed Matt Ponatoski, a true freshman with one of the most decorated high school résumés in the country.
The Cincinnati Moeller product was named Mr. Football and Mr.
Baseball in Ohio - a rare feat that puts him in elite company. He also took home Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both sports.
“He’s a winner,” Stein said. “Playing in the GCL in Cincinnati - really good competition.
That’s a tough league. And to dominate in two sports at that level?
That says a lot.”
Stein’s relationship with Ponatoski goes back to his Oregon days, where he initially recruited him. Timing didn’t work out then, but the connection remained strong - and it paid off for Kentucky.
One potential wrinkle? Ponatoski is projected as a first-round pick in the MLB Draft. But Stein isn’t sweating it.
“Everything he’s said to me is that he wants to be a big-time college football player,” Stein said. “He’s obviously an outstanding baseball player, and we’d love to get him on the diamond here at Kentucky, too. Let’s do this thing together.”
That multi-sport versatility is something Stein values deeply. He’s a big believer in athletes who compete year-round - whether it’s track, basketball, wrestling, or baseball. To him, it’s not just about physical tools; it’s about competitiveness, leadership, and loyalty.
“If all you’re doing is playing football, it’s not going to make me not recruit you,” Stein said. “But I love to see that athleticism and competitiveness show up in other sports.”
Rounding out the room is returning sophomore Brennan Ward, along with two more transfer portal additions: JacQai Long from Marshall and Carson Cruver from Florida Atlantic.
“I like Brennan Ward a lot,” Stein said. “Son of a coach, can really throw it.
Great communicator, natural leader.” Stein’s been diving into Ward’s practice film and high school tape, and he sees a player with real potential.
As for Long and Cruver, they bring needed depth and experience. Long has started games at the FBS level, and Cruver adds another arm with upside. Put it all together, and Stein sees a quarterback room that may not be loaded with experience, but is brimming with potential.
“I think the room’s competitive, which is fun,” he said. “Guys that might not have a ton of experience, but I think the upside, the ceiling on these kids is really high.”
And if there’s one thing Stein has proven, it’s that he knows how to develop quarterbacks. His résumé includes names like Bo Nix, Dylan Gabriel, Dante Moore, and Frank Harris - all of whom flourished under his guidance.
“The guys I’ve been able to coach, we have great dialogue,” Stein said. “It’s not about forcing them into a system - it’s about building the system around them.”
That adaptability is central to Stein’s offensive philosophy. He’s not tied to one scheme or tempo. Instead, he’s building something flexible - a modern, pro-style offense that borrows from the best of today’s NFL.
“It’s not huddle every play and go I-formation. It’s not spread it out and go as fast as humanly possible,” Stein explained.
“It’s a blend of everything. We can play multiple personnels.
We can play with multiple tempos. We like RPOs.
We love tempo. But we also like two-back sets and getting downhill with fullbacks and tight ends.”
If that sounds like a mashup of the Bears, Lions, and Chiefs - that’s no accident. Those are the teams Stein studies closely, looking to emulate their creativity and adaptability with the personnel he has.
To help bring that vision to life, Stein hired Joe Sloan away from LSU. The two had crossed paths often on the recruiting trail and built a strong relationship over Zooms and film sessions.
“He’s another guy who can really move the needle in recruiting,” Stein said. “And he does a great job of it.”
Beyond quarterbacks, Stein’s been aggressive in the portal, especially when it comes to upgrading the offensive line, running backs, and wide receivers. He knows that to make this offense go, it’s going to take more than just a scheme - it’s going to take talent, depth, and cohesion.
After years of offensive inconsistency, Kentucky fans have reason to be optimistic. With Stein at the helm, a revamped quarterback room, and a flexible, modern offensive approach, the Wildcats are aiming for a fresh identity - one built around adaptability, development, and explosive playmaking.