Kentucky’s quarterback room is getting a fresh look in 2026, and it starts with a new face under center. With Cutter Boley transferring to Arizona State after starting 10 games as a redshirt freshman last season, the Wildcats are turning the page - and head coach Will Stein is embracing the transition with confidence.
Stein, who took over the program this offseason, addressed Boley’s departure head-on.
“I wish him nothing but the best,” Stein said. “Great person.
Obviously, I recruited him before my time at Oregon. There are just some things that are out of our control.”
It’s a tough loss on paper - Boley, a Lexington Christian product, showed promise in his first year as a starter. But Stein wasn’t interested in second-guessing the move. Instead, he focused on what’s next.
“We put a really good plan together, and it just didn’t work out,” he added. “There’s nothing wrong with him choosing to go to Arizona State. I’m excited for him.”
That next chapter for Kentucky is now centered around Kenny Minchey, a transfer from Notre Dame who’s set to take the reins as QB1. And according to Stein, there’s plenty of reason for excitement.
Minchey, a 6-foot, 208-pound quarterback out of Hendersonville, Tennessee, spent three seasons in South Bend. While his game reps were limited - just 10 appearances across his career - he made the most of his opportunities.
He completed 23 of 29 passes for 212 yards, good for a sharp 79 percent completion rate. In 2025, he added 196 passing yards and chipped in 84 more on the ground, including a rushing touchdown.
Stein and his staff are betting big on Minchey’s upside - and they’re not alone.
“He’s extremely accurate, and he’s got great athleticism,” Stein said. “When you talk to him, you’ll see - he’s a phenomenal person, very smart.”
That blend of intelligence and athleticism is what first made Minchey a coveted prospect. Coming out of Pope John Paul II High School, he was a consensus four-star recruit. Ranked as the No. 160 overall player and the 12th-best quarterback in his class, Minchey finished his high school career with 5,212 passing yards, a 63.2 percent completion rate, and 53 touchdowns.
Stein noted that the feedback on Minchey - from former coaches to NFL scouts - has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everybody we talked to, even guys on that [Notre Dame] staff, felt like they still would’ve won 10 games with Kenny out there playing quarterback,” he said. “I talked to NFL scouts on him. I feel like he’s got a really high upside in his game.”
That’s high praise - and it’s clear Kentucky believes they’ve landed a quarterback who fits both the system and the culture Stein is trying to build.
“I know we’re excited about what we have here and what we have to offer our players,” Stein said. “The guys we added are the ones who really bought into this university and are ready to make this place great.”
So while Boley’s departure may have raised eyebrows, the Wildcats aren’t looking back. With Minchey now in the fold and Stein setting the tone, Kentucky is turning the page - and they’re doing it with purpose.