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While Kentucky pursues Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt to lead its offense next year, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham wasted no time adding Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley to his roster.
Boley threw for 2,160 yards and 15 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season and completed 65.8 percent of his passes — the third best completion percentage of any SEC quarterback behind only Gunner Stockton of Georgia and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt. The redshirt freshman’s best game was against Tennessee when he threw for 330 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.
The former Lexington Christian standout committed to Arizona State on the first day of his visit and will have three years of eligibility left. Wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright (Washington) and running back David Avit (Villanova) committed on Sunday to join Boley in the ASU offense.
Arizona State finished 8-5 last season that earned Dillingham a contract extension.
The Sun Devils also currently have quarterbacks in Cameron Dyer, Michael Tollefson and Christian Hunt on the roster as well as incoming four-star prospect Jake Fette. However, Boley’s reported incentive package certainly would indicate Dillingham plans on him being the starter.
Boley picked UK over finalists Tennessee, Michigan, Florida State and Penn State coming out of high school
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, UK’s new head coach, and LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, Stein’s new OC at UK, both recruited Boley in high school. However, they were apparently not convinced Boley would be the best option as UK’s starter. He was offered a chance to stay but his agent was contacted by about 20 other schools.
Most offered substantially higher contracts than UK did according to several sources. But more importantly, other schools were much more interested in Boley as a starting quarterback. Arizona State certainly put together an attractive financial package for Boley according to sources.
Several other SEC schools were among the schools that contacted Boley’s agent along with other prominent football programs.
Stein had Leavitt on campus over the weekend but he apparently is also visiting LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin. Stein also apparently has been in contact with several other transfers including Ashton Davis of Auburn.
20 Responses
I don't get this. Stein wanted him to stay and he could have helped Boley take the next step in his development. Was the NIL that much more at ASU or was Boley tired of playing in the SEC?
It has been reported that Stein likes QB's that can not only throw the ball well but who can also "stay within the system" and who also can hurt you with their feet. My guess is that after getting beat up in the SEC Boley doesn't want to be a running QB. Boley had a tendency to hold the ball too long. There has been criticism of Boley wanting to go deep when he had openings in the middle. I discount those criticisms in that play calling pretty much determines what is open to the QB. Secondly I think Boley was miffed that he was recruited over and then had to come in and save the day when QB1 got injured. I suspect he didn't want another situation like that. Can't blame him there but it could turn out that he cut his nose off to spite his face!.
Both Nil and playing in a watered down confrence. He broke his teeth in the SEC with the worst offensive line in the SEC. Cutter didn't want to come back with no starting offensive lineman coming back and he was a Stoops guy. He grew up watching Stoops turn Kentucky relevant. Then when it's his turn to lead the program stoops gets fired. I guarantee you this Boley has a great year for Arizona State. In 2027 and 2028 he will be one of the best QBs in college football. Next year is when he starts to take off. Probably 3,200 yards 27 TDs 8ints. He won't throw as many interceptions at Arizona State the cornerbacks aren't as great out west. Arizona state always has a good offensive line too.
I completely agree, Terry!
You are right Terry. Lot easier for QB to put up big numbers against non-SEC defenses
Death of another dream. How many of us grew up in KY playing high school sports dreaming of playing for UK and winning the big game. Romantics all have the same illusion. What has replaced that dream is growing up in KY, playing for a winning high school program so that you can get the notice of a good agent who and get you your first Million Dollar contract. Playing for UK and winning the big game is only of minor consequence. Somewhere along the way, I think we have lost something and we have become less for it.
Quite true, RJohn!
Larry. So is your take that Stein didn’t show enough commitment to Boley or that Boley just wanted a new place. Seems like Boley was clearly considering a change do to his quick jump to ASU.
You can't hesitate in the transfer portal or someone gets your spot. Stein was not overly committed to Boley. Made it clear he was bringing in one or two more quarterbacks — which is something he certainly can do as a new coach — but Boley clearly knew Stein would not give a transfer QB big money to not start, so Boley just looked for better opportunity. No right or wrong, just the way of the college athletics world
Exactly right, Larry V…
“He who hesitated is lost” surely applies here.
Like the Illegal Crooked Minnesota Somali Thief in Congress who has stolen Billions said “ It’s all about the Benjamin’s “ ! Or as kids today who bounce or throw a ball scream, Get me My Agent!
Excellent summary, Rick!!!
And were not set and stone getting Leavitte he's reported to visit LSU tomorrow
It's just like I have been saying for a couple years. The playing for the name on the front of the jersey is over. All this rah rah nostalgia shit isn't gonna cut it anymore. Kids from Ky bleed blue until someone else pulls out the cash. Everyone said Sheppard would stay atleast 3 yrs because of his legacy. I said one and done. Stein won't have a problem. He is only going to recruit the best of the best. He will say, "come play for me at Ky and I will make you better". He will show that Ky has great facilities and support. There will be no rah rah. Pope was dead in the water when he came in saying Ky first. The reports say he makes an offer and when the kid says, but so and so offered double that amount. Pope says but you get to play for Kentucky. The parents kicks Pope out and slams the door. Atleast Stein is reeling in players.
Jimmy just remember Stein has yet to win a game. And only time will tell if he gets the best of the best. I hope he can but money has changed it all
He will get some of the best because that's all he will recruit. Boley is like Perry. Wanted garrentees of starting and probably money. Didn't have the guts to compete for and take it.
There is still some risk with Stein. Recruiting at Kentucky not same as Oregon and he still has no HC experience.
Apparently we determined that were going to lose Leavitt to LSU and decided to shoot for and got Minchey to decommit from Nebraska. Guess you can't blame Stein to want to shoot for the fences and for Leavitt not to commit to LSU over UK.
You summed it up quite well, Mike!
Genuine UK fans are ever so appreciated by this fan. Respecting choices by KY HS players is part of the umbrella the BBN carries. Some of their choices have many unknown factors, so it’s best not to criticize them when unaware of all the factors.
Some have slammed Reed Sheppard who got a $28 Million contract (+/-) and did my risk a career ending injury at UK for a small amount of NIL money. I guess those who have unfavorable & nasty comments for Reed & others who left UK for various reason must be those who would risk millions? – or are they just belly aching?
Go BIG BLUE !!!
Hoping Pope cleans house to make way for a TEAM with unselfish players.
Hoping Stein has great success landing quality players with character, so there won’t be any who break team rules and ruffle the locker room atmosphere!