Like facing down an oncoming blitz in the pocket, Cutter Boley is taking a calm approach to the sudden upheaval at the University of Kentucky.
The 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound redshirt-freshman quarterback and starter in the final 10 games of the Wildcats’ season told FootballScoop Monday in an exclusive interview that he was caught off-guard by the Sunday night move to fire Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops.
“I’m still in, like … I’m still processing it a little bit,” he said. “It kind of came as a bit of a surprise to, I feel like, everybody here.”
The shock change means Boley is taking a wait-and-see approach to learn who Kentucky’s next head coach is going to be.
Multiple sources told FootballScoop Monday that current Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, a Kentucky native and former Louisville quarterback, is the frontrunner to land the Wildcats’s job and replace Stoops, who had been the SEC’s longest-tenured coach this season in his 13th year on the job.
“I think just moving forward, I’m trying to find the best place, wherever that may be, whether it’s here,” said Boley, a former consensus four-star prospect who closed his prep career at Lexington Christian Academy, “or wherever I can kind of showcase what I can do in the best system for me.”
Despite Kentucky’s season ending in Friday’s blowout-loss to rival Louisville, Boley had already returned to work Monday. He wants to augment his strengths and was candid in addressing a weakness.
“I feel like I showed my natural arm-talent and ability to make plays outside the pocket, extend plays with my feet or escaping and keeping eyes downfield,” said Boley, who threw for more than 2,100 yards, had 17 touchdowns and won three separate SEC weekly awards but also tossed a dozen interceptions. “I think I showed my ability to do a lot of different things with my game.
“I also have a lot or areas to improve, one of those definitely being decreasing my turnovers and putting those passes in a good position to keep the ball in our hands.”
Now, with the NCAA’s Early Signing Period for Class of 2026 recruits opening Wednesday and running through Friday, Kentucky is expected to move at a brisk pace in finding its next head coach. Boley will continue to evaluate his options until that picture is clear.
The NCAA Transfer Portal opens Jan. 2, 2026, and runs Jan. 2-16, 2026.
“I think I’m just kind of taking it one day at a time,” said Boley. “I think everything happens fast now. I’m just kind of taking it as it comes.
“I’m really just trying to prepare myself for anything. I really appreciate everything Coach Stoops did for me, and I think very highly of Coach Stoops.
“I think, moving forward, my main focus is putting myself in the best position to showcase my talent.”