Another QB visiting Kentucky football, is Cutter going to be the guy next year?

After hosting former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy, Kentucky football is exploring additional options at quarterback with the visit of Zach Calzada. A well-traveled veteran, Calzada has had stints at Texas A&M, Auburn, and most recently Incarnate Word. His career stats reflect a player with solid experience and growth over time, making him an intriguing option for the Wildcats as they look to bolster their quarterback room. Wimsatt is already gone, Allen graduated, and you have Cutter Boley on the roster.

Calzada’s career has been a mix of highs and lows. In 2024, he completed 343 of 524 passes (65.5%) for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns against nine interceptions, showing significant improvement as a passer. His dual-threat abilities also emerged this season, as he rushed for 332 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. While he’s not a household name, his productivity and experience make him a valuable candidate for a team offensive firepower in a a bad way.

The potential addition of Calzada raises questions about the future of highly touted Kentucky freshman Cutter Boley. Rumors persist that offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is unconvinced that Boley is ready to take the reins in 2025. If Kentucky brings in another seasoned transfer like Calzada, it could signal that Boley may be in line to sit another year—or worse, seek opportunities elsewhere. For Big Blue Nation, this scenario could be demoralizing.

On one hand, adding depth and experience at quarterback is critical in today’s transfer portal era. Injuries and inconsistencies can derail a season, so having a proven player like Calzada could be an insurance policy for Kentucky’s offense. On the other hand, fans might question if prioritizing transfers over homegrown talent risks alienating young prospects like Boley. Especially if they are going after Maalik Murphy as well.

Ultimately, Kentucky must find a balance between competition and development. While Zach Calzada’s experience is enticing, Kentucky fans will be watching closely to see how the quarterback situation unfolds and what it means for the future of the program.