Mark Stoops shares value of Zach Calzada in quarterback room, battle with Cutter Boley

After the Kentucky Wildcats finished the 2024 season with their worst record since 2013, the first season that head coach Mark Stoops was with the program. In the wake of that, Stoops returned to the drawing board, looking to reset at the quarterback position.

This offseason, Kentucky brought in veteran quarterback Zach Calzada as a transfer. On top of that, the Wildcats retained Cutter Boley, a member of the Class of 2024, while adding two more quarterbacks in the Class of 2025. It’s a group that Stoops sees plenty of potential in, starting with Calzada and his experience playing the position.

“I think just all his play,” Mark Stoops said. “You know, the experience. A sixth-year guy, a guy has played a lot of football, that’s won games in our league, that competed in our league, and did very well when he was in there. To balance that with a guy like Cutter, who is very young, you have got Beau [Allen] back, which gives us some experience as well. So, I feel good about that position. I think with Zach, I mean, what I like is the fact that I can put on film and see a ton of reps.”

Zach Calzada is the presumed starter in 2025 after he transferred in from Incarnate Word after stops at Texas A&M and Auburn. He’s coming off a season where he threw for a 65.5 completion percentage for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns to only nine interceptions. He also rushed for 332 yards and five touchdowns. That was at the FCS level.

However, Calzada isn’t alone on the roster. Cutter Boley was a four-star recruit, according to the On3 Industry Rating. He flashed some talent playing in four games last season and using a redshirt at Kentucky. Then, in the incoming freshmen class, there are players like Brennen Ward and Stone Saunders coming into the program. Still, for Stoops, those young quarterbacks are more wait-and-see.

“Yeah, I mean, to be determined, right? We’ll see,” Stoops said. “I mean, look at them and what they did in high school. I feel very good about them. But you know and I know I am not going to put all of my eggs in an incoming freshman, you know. So.”

In recent seasons, Mark Stoops has leaned heavily on transfer quarterbacks. In 2021 and 2022, Kentucky relied on transfer Will Levis. After that, the Wildcats have brought in players like Devin Leary and Brock Vandagriff to play quarterback.