New Kentucky coach Will Stein with Cutter Boley, UK's starting quarterback in 10 games last season. (Elliott Hess/UK Athletics Photo)
Former Kentucky football player Jeff Piecoro believes there are two players that new UK football coach Matt Stein has to do all he can to keep on the roster to help lead his first UK team in 2026.
“I think Cutter Boley is the future,” Piecoro, the UK Radio Network analyst, said about the redshirt freshman quarterback. “He doesn’t get rattled. The players love him. My quarterback (at UK) was Bill Ransdell and he earned your respect with his toughness. Cutter is the same way. He took a shot against Vanderbilt and the next series he is back in there ready to go even though the game was out of hand.
“Players respect a quarterback who does that. Plus, Cutter got better this season. He’s going to keep getting better, too. The one thing Kentucky finally has is a home-grown quarterback and to me, quarterback is the least of your worries for next year and I know Stein has to think he can make him an even better player.”
Boley completed 198 of 301 passes in 11 games for 2,160 yards. He had five touchdown passes against Tennessee and 12 scoring passes against in 12 SEC games. He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team. He completed 65.8 percent of his passes, a UK freshman record for completion percentage.
Junior all-SEC safety Ty Bryant led the Kentucky defense with 76 tackles, including 46 solo stops, last season. He also led the team in interceptions with four and ranked among the Southeastern Conference leaders all season in interceptions. He’s already played in 37 games in three years and made 22 starts to establish himself as the quarterback of the UK defense.
“He is one of the leaders of the defense. Since he got to UK, he has played. He is a personable young man, a great player and a terrific leader,” Piecoro said. “Whenever a new coach comes in, you have got to establish leaders on the team and they help you get through what is going on.
“None of these players know anything about Will as a coach. It’s very important for those leaders to step forward and help the coach. I think both Cutter and Ty are must keep players. There are a lot of good young players on both offense and defense and they are the leaders you need to help build your team if you are Will Stein.”
2 Responses
I agree on this. Ty Bryant is the leader and toughest guy on the defensive side of the ball. Throw in he was second team all SEC and led the SEC in interceptions. Plus the fact that he's a Kentucky boy who was also 3rd in the SEC at tackles among safeties. If we want to get better on third downs and want to keep the defense off the field we need Bryant to come back. I do believe he loves playing at Kentucky. He's a legacy player his dad played for Kentucky too. Boley on the otherhand has every reason to come back. Don't tell me he's a Stoops and Hamden guy. Stein and Sloan could actually take Boley to the next level. Stein can make Boley so much improved over what he was last year. No more throwing 40-50 yard passes. This is where Boley struggles and for some reason Hamden kept drawing up long passes. With Stein Boley will be a 70-72% passer. His accuracy and playmaking ability will go through the roof. I dont understand what he's even thinking not saying he wants to come back already. Stein and Oregon was his #2 choice. So it should be a easy choice for him to stay and for Stein to make a hesiman finalist out of him. Hamden is a bonehead. Stoops was very bad at offense. Now we actually have elite offensive masterminds calling the plays. They should put Boley in the right position to not only improve but for us to win more games as well. If you grew up a Kentucky fan then this is what you want from your program. I do believe both players ultimately come back and play for Stein next year.
Terry, you nailed it! Those 2 are KEEPERS! Their play will lead the team to a higher level and their leadership will be the anchors to insure every player gets a taste of the drive & success.
There is added incentive in these 2 Kentucky natives to do all they can AND to push & pull the ready of the team to have the same level of desire to WIN.
The UK FB downward slide has ended with the hiring of Stein & his hiring of new staff! They are being in SUCCESS and it will be infused into the UK team!