Building around the quarterback was top goal for Kentucky this offseason

Last year was a bad one of the Kentucky offense. In the first year under offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, the Cats finished No. 89 in success rate (40.6%), No. 107 in yards per play (5.25), No. 109 in red zone touchdown percentage (52.94%), No. 115 in points per drive (1.61), and No. 118 in EPA/play (-0.08). Kentucky posted only a 38.9 percent red zone touchdown rate against power conference foes and finished under five yards per play six times. Kentucky’s offensive SP+ rating (No. 88 overall) was the third time in the last five seasons where the Cats had a sub-80 offense. 

Some significant upgrades were needed. As always, what happened at quarterback got the most attention with the Cats dipping back into the transfer portal market to add Incarnate Word transfer Zach Calzada to the roster. However, that was not the biggest need. Kentucky needed some wholesale changes and could start 7-8 first-year transfers on offense.

Providing a better infrastructure for the person taking QB1 snaps was a high priority for Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops.

“Absolutely need to improve. There’s no bones about that. Have to get better in many areas,” Stoops said in an interview on Wednesday morning with ESPN Radio. “It’s not all on the quarterback as you know, as you would expect me to say. I mean, last year we couldn’t protect very good, we didn’t have the balance we were looking for. Fell short in the passing game, that’s for sure.”

“This year we have to improve. I think it starts with rebuilding the offensive line. I’ve worked really hard to recruit some players in here. Develop the ones we have. And give the quarterback some time.”

Offensive line play has been a major issue for this football team over the last three seasons. To correct the issues in 2025, Kentucky hit the portal hard and is expected to have three first-year transfers in the starting lineup along with returnees Jager Burton and Jalen Farmer. That rebuild also included multiple tight ends and a handful of receivers joining the roster from the portal.

The hope is that an improved supporting cast from top-to-bottom with good depth can make things easier on Kentucky’s new quarterback. Calzada has a ton of experience and the program remains very excited about what Cutter Boley could grow into.

“Zach Calzada, what excites me about him is the experience that he has. He’s won games in this league. He won at Texas A&M with Jimbo (Fisher). He has experience in the league,” Stoops said. “He’s a sixth-year guy. Many reps under his belt.”

“I also have a great one in Cutter Boley. He’s going to be a redshirt freshman. I didn’t think it was right to leave him all alone in that quarterback room, and so, I think between the two of them, I expect to have a great year. We have the depth that we’re looking for.”

Stoops also mentioned some playmaking from Calzada showed up in live 11-on-11 football during spring practice and that excited the head coach. Kentucky will need their new starting quarterback to make plays when the games begin but the 10 other players on the field need to make his job easier. That was a top goal for the program in the offseason.

The Cats searched for depth and multiple offensive starters across the board in the transfer portal market.