The Origin of the Chemistry between Willie Rodriguez and Cutter Boley

It doesn’t take a well-trained eye to identify the connection between Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley and tight end Willie Rodriguez.

It first manifested in an unlikely place. The two true freshmen had their numbers called on the road last fall at Texas. In that game, Boley looked like a future star, throwing for 160 yards against one of the top secondaries in the nation. Three of his completions were to Rodriguez, including a 25-yard gain to the big tight end.

“With every quarterback, you got to build some sort of chemistry, and we started building that in high school,” Rodriguez said after Tuesday’s practice.

The two started building that relationship as high school juniors. Rodriguez was not on any sort of visit to Kentucky, but when Rodriguez made a trip to Lexington, Boley hit him up, and the Lexington Christian quarterback showed him around town before the two eventually spent time throwing together. Tennessee was in hot pursuit of the Covington Catholic star tight end, but he credits Boley for helping the Cats secure his services.

“We’ve known each other for a while. We got recruited together, and he recruited me here, and we live together, so I guess we’re pretty good friends,” Rodriguez laughed.

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KSR expects Boley to start against Eastern Michigan, and Bush Hamdan has already tasked Rodriguez with more responsibility in the passing game. He was spotted running routes as an X-receiver against Ole Miss.

“I had an opportunity and I didn’t run the best route. I just got to keep working on it. There are corners on you, so it’s gonna be a physical battle. They’re quick so they can undercut a route quick, so you gotta be smart and run a good route,” said the Kentucky tight end.

Kentucky’s passing game has struggled out of the gate. Rodriguez’s play does provide a sense of optimism, particularly if he can build on that chemistry with Boley. The two nearly connected on a game-tying fourth-quarter touchdown. That’s a throw the young quarterback wishes he had another chance to make.

“And then I missed K-Law right after that, on that fourth down coming over the middle,” Boley said. “I gotta trust where he’s going to be, and I gotta rip that in there. Those two I definitely missed. I gotta make those throws,” said Boley.

Hopefully, the chemistry created between these two in high school quickly pays dividends for Kentucky on Saturdays.