Arizona State just scored a major win in the transfer portal arms race. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley, who spent the past two seasons slinging it for Kentucky, is heading west to Tempe. The move gives head coach Kenny Dillingham a much-needed replacement after losing All-Big 12 signal-caller Sam Leavitt to the portal.
A Starting Opportunity Falls Into His Lap
Boley’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time for the Sun Devils. After Leavitt’s departure left a gaping hole under center, Arizona State landed the No. 72 overall player in the transfer portal (No. 12 among quarterbacks). For a program that just made noise in the Big 12, keeping the momentum rolling means finding someone who can run the offense without skipping a beat.
The Hodgenville, Kentucky native saw plenty of action this past season. After backing up Zach Calzada to start the year, Boley took over the starting job when Calzada went down with an injury in the Wildcats’ second game against Ole Miss. From there, he appeared in 11 of 12 games, throwing for 2,160 yards and 15 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Kentucky’s Season Went Sideways Fast
With Boley running the show, Kentucky averaged 22.9 points per game and posted a 4-6 record as a starter. The Wildcats opened 1-1 but couldn’t find consistency, finishing 5-7 and missing a bowl game for the second straight year. That nosedive cost longtime head coach Mark Stoops his job. Kentucky brought in Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein to fix the mess.
Here’s where things got messy. Before getting canned, Stoops went on his radio show and announced that Boley had committed to returning to Lexington. Plot twist: Boley was blindsided by the coaching change and decided he needed to find “the best system for him.” Translation: he was out.
Two Years of Growing Pains
Boley’s Kentucky career was a mixed bag. As a freshman in 2024, he barely played while Brock Vandagriff dealt with injuries. Over two seasons in Lexington, the Lexington Christian Academy product completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,498 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also punched in two rushing scores.
Now he gets a fresh start in the desert. Arizona State needs someone who can keep the offense humming after a breakout season. Boley needs a clean slate and a system that plays to his strengths. It’s a marriage of necessity, but sometimes those work out best. Dillingham and his staff better hope this gamble pays off, because replacing an All-Big 12 quarterback isn’t easy.
