Kentucky QB competition: Bush Hamdan reveals update on where Cutter Boley, Zach Calzada stand

After Incarnate Word transfer quarterback Zach Calzada was brought in via the Transfer Portal this offseason, it was widely expected that he would be Kentucky‘s starting quarterback when it opened the season on Aug. 30 against Toledo.

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Cutter Boley has however made a strong push for the job, sparking a position battle on the practice field. Because of this, head coach Mark Stoops has yet to name a starting quarterback less than two weeks away from the season opener. Hamdan gave an update on where both Calzada and Boley currently stand on Tuesday.

“The evaluation is that everyday matters and we all know that,” Hamdan said. “The last 15 minutes of this practice were about as realistic as a two-minute scenario that we’ve had all year (maybe since I’ve been here). We’re constantly evaluating these guys and their progression. Cutter’s doing a lot of really good things. To see where he’s come from last year to this year, with his mental approach to how calm he is out there, he is pushing the needle on this thing in a big way. Obviously Zach (Calzada) is doing a really good job as well.

“We’re very fortunate to have both these guys here and that’s the reality of the situation. It’s an interesting situation because the more veteran guy just got here probably about four-five months ago and the newcomer is in his second year. That’s a huge thing too. We’re taking it one day at a time and we’re fortunate that both these guys are here and both of them are going to have to win football games for us when you look at the history of this conference. We’re taking it one step at a time.”

Stoops revealed he is high on both quarterbacks on Monday

As a freshman last season, Boley played in four games in relief of Brock Vandagriff. Boley completed 49.1% of his passes for 338 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Calzada, who played at Texas A&M (2019-21) and Auburn (2022) before spending the past two seasons at Incarnate Word, passed for 6,144 yards, 53 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 22 games at UIW.

“I really like (Calzada’s) experience,” Stoops said on Monday. “He’s been around a long time – he’s played in this league, he’s won big games… big thing is his experience. He’s a big guy. He can make all the throws. He has a strong arm. But, you know he’s in a battle with Cutter Boley. You know, I think, Cutter is a guy that’s a redshirt freshman that we all anticipate (to be) the future of this program. When that happens, I don’t know. But, Zach has been very steady, very good through camp – as has Cutter.”

Kentucky opens its 2025 season at home against Toledo on Aug. 30. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:45 PM on SEC Network.