Zach Calzada (Vicky Graff Photo)
Maybe it is not a given that transfer Zach Calzada is going to be Kentucky’s starting quarterback after all this season.
After Saturday’s scrimmage, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said he felt both Calzada and redshirt freshman Cutter Boley “played good” during the scrimmage.
“I thought Cutter was very efficient early in particular. He had some really nice drives and put some things together. Got the ball in the end zone. So that was really good to see,” Stoops told media members.
Efficient and getting the ball in the end zone are two things that could not be said about the Kentucky offense last season and are traits that Stoops wants to see in his quarterback this year as UK tries to bounce back from a 4-8 finish in 2024.
Several UK football insiders have noted how well Boley has played in practice and praised his velocity and ability to read the defense. Boley also worked in the offseason to raise his weight to about 220 pounds.
During Monday’s annual Greater Louisville UK Alumni 2025 Wildcat Kickoff Luncheon at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Stoops surprised many when he said he still had not decided on a starting quarterback despite speculation that Calzada won the job in spring practice.
From what I have been told, Calzada’s edge seems to be that he handles the “cadence” of the offense a bit better than Boley. Of course, Calzada has played in 38 college games with 32 starts over the last six years. Boley has played in four games with one start to close last season against Louisville.
Calzada was brought in from the transfer portal this offseason for what is his seventh collegiate season at his fourth program. Boley is then redshirt freshman coming off his first college season at his in-state program.
Calzada has thrown for 8,660 yards and 73 touchdowns with and 28 interceptions and is coming off a career-best season when he completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Boley completed 26 of 47 passes for 338 yards for two touchdowns with one pick in games against Florida, Murray State, Texas and Louisville.
“Zach Calzada is a transfer, a sixth-year player. I really like his experience,” Stoops said at the alumni luncheon. “He’s been around a long time. He’s played in this league (for Texas A&M), he’s won big games. He was the starting quarterback at Texas A&M years ago under Jimbo (Fisher). Won a bunch of critical games there.
“Had an injury, bounced around a little bit, but the big thing is his experience. He’s a big guy, he can make all the throws. He has a strong arm. And he’s in a battle with Cutter Boley.”
Once again, Stoops called Boley the “future of this program.” Does that mean he might be ready to give Boley the starting job or is that to try to make sure Boley does not think of transferring when the season ends if he does not play regularly?
“Cutter is a guy that’s a redshirt freshman that we all anticipate is the future of this program. When that happens, I don’t know,” Stoops said. “But Zach has been very steady and very good through camp. As has Cutter.”
Kentucky brought in Calzada to start just like it did Will Levis, Devin Leary and Brock Vandagriff and allow Boley another year to watch and learn. That was not Boley’s plan and he could complicate that decision with the way he’s been playing.
8 Responses
Absolutely no way Stoops starts Boley. I haven't seen the practices so I cannot say which one "should" start, but Stoops loves experienced qbs from other schools. He has never developed a qb and he knows that so he doesn't trust his own system in that area.
Just remember, Stoops raved over Beau Allen, then never gave him a chance. Not saying Allen deserved the chance, but Stoops will say what others want to hear.
I think you are right OldFan
When Stoops pretends to know something about Qab’s or even offense, just turn off the TV & out in a tape of any prior season. Just insert the name of the current year QB’s and the “MESSage” is the same – a lot of nothing.
Is there another HC making $9 Million as clueless about offense as the UK HC? Not even close.
To literally destroy a program that climbed to 10 wins before collapsing to 4 wins is absolutely pathetic.
QB stability on top teams is based on developing QB’s at home, not trying to pick some out of a Sears catalog to come in and start all over every year.
How many top programs try to find a transfer instead of supporting your own RB averaging more than 6 yards per carry??? NONE!!!
Who pays for the revolving door worn out each year by different OC’s, OL coaches, QB’s, RB’s. Is it the HC or Barnie – nope! It’s the fans!
I agree 1000% if I was Wilcox I would have transferred. He should have been the starting running back last year to get him ready for this year. We have a great young nucleus I just don't know if everyone will stay for next year. If you remember last year Wilcox looked like the best running back and it wasn't even close. He would run for 30 yards then get taken out and not play the rest of the game. He had 196 yards called back because of a penalty. 2 of them were over 70 yard runs. Only to be called back for Kattus holding on the opposite side of the field. Or Barion Brown karate chopping someone's throat. I don't see why its so hard for Stoops if you do find a QB in the portal at least get one like Levis with 2 years available. Where the first year you run on talent and the second year you make a playoff run. That will never happen with Stoops at the helm. I would take Gruden or Sumrall over Stoops anyday of the week and I think you could get either of these coaches with a 4-5 million dollar contract. They would be twice as good as Stoops for half the money.
Calzada will 100% be the starter. Boley is playing against the second string defense. Plus of course he is starting to read the defense. He has seen Kentucky's different sets for a year and a half. Stoops is saying all the right things so when Calzada starts Boley will know no matter what he will be the starter here in 2026. There is absolutely no way Boley really believes he will be the starter this year. Stoops sends mixed signals to the players knowing he won't start week 1. Now if Calzada starts playing poorly I do belive Boley will be put into action. He will be better prepared midway through the season. Boley should be a true Freshman in college. His time will come but I think Stoops is messing up by not just saying Calzada is out starter. You have to put confidence in your starter. You also have to get your backup as many game reps as possible. How many times have we played a kent state got up by 30 and the first string QB is still in the game. You don't even have to get up by much to get Boley a series. If he's almost as good as Calzada then if you get up a couple of touchdowns let Boley run a series. He shouldn't start but he should get ample playing time getting him ready for next year to take over.
Gotta go with all of the above.
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I concur with everything above.