Quarterback Cutter Boley with offensive analyst Mike Hartline, a former UK quarterback. (Vicky Graff Photo)
After Kentucky’s practice ended on Tuesday, one UK football insider shared some intriguing information about redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley.
The insider thought Boley had his best practice in his two years at Kentucky and it came one day after head coach Mark Stoops indicated it still was not a given that transfer Zach Calzada would start over Boley.
“Cutter’s doing a lot of really good things, and I think you guys know that,” Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said after Tuesday’s workout. “Where he’s come from this year to last year, his mental approach, how calm he is out there. He is pushing the needle on this in a big way.”
Boley wouldn’t hide how he felt he has been playing in practice despite not getting as many reps with the No. 1 offense as Calzada has.
“This is probably the most into it I have ever been and this is the best ball I think I’ve ever played is this fall camp. I took a lot of steps,” Boley said Tuesday. “The big thing is the command, the operation, not just being a good thrower, but being a good all-around quarterback, being a captain and commander of the offense.”
Boley said he doesn’t worry about who he’s throwing to.
“I can close my eyes and whoever is out there is okay with me. They are all better at certain things but they are all going out there to bust their tails and give their all. I trust all those guys to make plays,” Boley said.
“I think I am doing what I am supposed to do. I am just trying my best and doing the best I can with what they give me and just do what they ask me to do.”
Boley has remained confident and optimistic about his play even though UK brought Calzada in from the transfer portal with the plan to start him and give Boley more time to develop.
“I’m focusing on the now, and not the future, just doing the best and being the best I can right now,” Boley said. “Things will fall into place that need to fall in place.
“God’s always got a plan. If I just do the best and try my best with what I can now, and do the most with the opportunities they give me, things will fall into place.”
4 Responses
Both need to be on a short rope when the lights come on. I say play the one that settles in and moves this team down the field for scores. Cutter needs to see playing time to prepare him for the future IMO.
When a red-shirt Freshman is this close to starting against a 7 year senior one wonders what the 7 year senior brings to the table besides experience.
In my opinion, and I know it doesn't matter, if things are this close between a redshirt freshman and a 7-year senior (as RJohn stated), that tells me the redshirt Freshman has a much higher ceiling. In this case, he will win you nearly as many games this year as the 7-year senior, but he will put on a show for the next 2 or 3 years. I would play for the future because this effect can change the whole program in a couple of years.
With you Old Fan