Cutter Boley joins Special Club of Kentucky In-State Quarterbacks

Mark Stoops secured his quarterback for the future. Four-star Lexington Christian Academy’s Cutter Boley committed to Kentucky on Thursday and announced he is reclassifying to 2024. Boley is rated as a top-five quarterback in the nation and has all the requisite tools to develop into an SEC starter. His commitment marks the first step in a long journey to climb UK’s depth chart at the sport’s most valued position. 

There is an abundance of benefits that accompany being the face of the franchise. There are also expectations and pressures that are unique for homegrown signal callers. I’ve seen this play out before. Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, Pookie Jones, Drew Barker, Patrick Towles, and others were in a similar position; it worked for some, but not all. The jump from high school hero to college star is not always guaranteed. Boley, however, appears to be a can’t-miss prospect. 

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

The Three Phases of a College Football Player’s Career: Commit-Sign-Play

There are three stages of a college football player’s career following the initial recruiting phase. The first step is to commit. I’ve not spoken to the LCA star, but I’d guess that he’s experiencing a great deal of relief following his public declaration. I know I felt that way. The burden of making a public, life-altering decision at such an early age can wear on a teenager. Committing is the most important decision of their young lives for most student-athletes. 

There is something special that surrounds an in-state quarterback that pledges to the Commonwealth’s flagship university; there just is. Cutter Boley’s application for full membership into the Big Blue Nation has been processed. It’s time to start thinking about the next phase. 

Good, bad, or indifferent, Cutter Boley’s life will forever be linked to the University of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation. Boley is the Class of 2024 prize. He will continue to be recruited by Stoops and Coen even after his promise. This upcoming high school football season may also take on a new feel. Boley and his team will be under the microscope on Friday nights. Every throw will be judged. Every win will be critiqued, every loss scrutinized. Being in the spotlight is exciting. It can also be a little overwhelming. Boley has been a prominent figure in the Kentucky sports scene for a couple of years now. I don’t think he’ll flinch with the additional attentiveness. 

The BBN was extremely interested in Boley before Thursday’s ceremony. The focus now will shift from hope to projection. Boley’s recruitment has been intense. It has also gone in diverse directions. There were times in the not-so-distant past when I felt that Kentucky didn’t have a shot at landing the prized recruit. Liam Coen came home. That changed in a hurry. I’m glad it did. 

Football fans across Kentucky will be fully engrossed when watching the future of their beloved Wildcat franchise play on the field. They’ll also monitor social media closely for any unexpected updates. I’ve seen this play out before. I witnessed Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, and Andre Woodson experience a similar set of circumstances. Leslie County, Highlands, and North Hardin games were the hottest tickets in the Commonwealth. That’s what happens when the future Kentucky QB comes to town. With the added attention comes a unique amount of pressure. Praise and scrutiny will both increase. Much like Couch, Lorenzen, and Woodson, I expect Boley to thrive in the spotlight.  

Committing is just the first step in Boley’s trajectory to becoming the starting quarterback at the University of Kentucky. The next move is to sign with the Cats. A player’s signature once meant that his school of choice would be called home for the next four or five years. That was life before the transfer portal exploded onto the scene. That’s all changed. National Signing Day can be a mere formality these days, the first of multiple signature-producing events throughout a career. 

College football has a transactional feel. Players, rightly so, have the freedom to move about. This especially applies to the quarterback position. The old saying is more true today than ever before, “Quarterbacks are born to transfer.” 

Once committed and signed, Boley will begin his path to getting on the game field. When will he play? That remains yet to be determined. There is a plethora of opinions on that matter that you can read on this website. I do think he will eventually be QB1 for Mark Stoops; he’s too talented to not be. If playing time is not immediate, Coen and company will keep the talented youngster engaged in the film room and practice field. That’s all a part of developing into being the big man on campus. The first step of leadership is followership. Or so I’ve been told. 

There will be plenty of time for conjecture about the future. Thursday was a time for celebration. I’m proud of Cutter for staying home. I’m sure that feeling is mutual within the BBN.

My Commitment to Become a Wildcat

I’ve told the story of when I committed to Kentucky on this website and various other platforms throughout the years. To make a long story short, I was on my official visit and met with Coach Jerry Claiborne in his office on Sunday. He asked me to commit. I said no because of the pending Major League Draft. Claiborne proceeded to follow me out of the parking lot and drive four hours all the way to Partridge, Kentucky which is remotely located in Letcher County. My in-home visit was essentially a continuation of our discussion in the head coach’s office in the belly of Commonwealth Stadium.

Claiborne didn’t even talk to me in our living room. His focus was on my parents and about his emphasis was on academics, family, and faith. Before I could say that I’m still wanting to wait on MLB, my mom committed for me and the rest is history. My life changed on that day. Even though it wasn’t technically my call, I was relieved that a decision was made. 

I was no longer the quarterback, power forward, or pitcher for Cumberland High School. My identity changed to be labeled as a future Wildcat. That’s what Boley can expect. I hope he can enjoy the now and not wish time away. High school football is the best of times and the last “Us vs. Them” he will experience in the game. 

A Wildcat Life

Cutter Boley is now one of us. “Us” can be defined as the fraternity that exists for all those that have suited it up for the Cats. This especially applies to has-been QBs. We don’t have a special handshake or anything, but we have a common understanding and bond. We can relate to the challenges that surround the difficulties and thrill of being in charge of the huddle. 

“Us” is also a reference to the BBN. Being the future of a football program can carry a certain set of expectations that are difficult to explain. But, it’s a positive pressure if addressed correctly. It can also be fruitful in life after football. I am living proof of just that. Need a sign of my life-long allegiance to all things Big Blue? I got this Power-K tattoo at the age of 52. I realize the decision to get ink at my advanced age was ridiculous. But hey, I work for KSR. Isn’t it our job to talk about sports in the most ridiculous manner possible? The tattoo is a permanent reminder of my allegiance to the BBN. I’ll probably never be considered a professional journalist, or Pro-J, with that marking. But, that’s okay.

As you can see from above, most of my identity is connected to UK. I’m not complaining, mind you. Far from it. I carry that description like a badge of honor. My days at UK some 30-plus years ago have afforded me an excellent life for which I am extremely grateful. Committing to Kentucky decades ago was the best decision of my young life to that point. I hope Cutter Boley feels the same. There’s something special about being an in-state QB at Kentucky. There just is. 

What Does All This Mean? 

I’m extremely happy for Cutter Boley and his family. Commitment Day is a ceremonial reward for a lifetime of hard work. I’m also proud of him and thrilled that he chose to stay home. He had many opportunities to not do so. Cutter’s life will change forever. He now will have the UK QB tag regardless of wherever life takes him. Opportunities will surface. Doors will open. I know they have for me and I’m grateful. 

Thursday was a good day. Cutter Boley is a Wildcat. Welcome to the Club.