Kentucky’s long-running quarterback problem has been an easy target for critics, and rightfully so. It has been a constant problem under Mark Stoops who has never been able to solve his QB problem. In fact the only time they came close was when a current NFL head coach was on the sideline in Liam Coen. However, ESPN analyst Danny Kanell just added a lot more fuel to the fire.
"Whoever is Playing for Kentucky"
In a recent SEC quarterback power ranking on X, Kanell didn’t even bother naming a starter for the Wildcats. He simply listed Kentucky at the bottom in a scathing tweet:
“16. Whoever is playing for Kentucky.”
My top QB Rankings in the SEC
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 28, 2025
1. Ty Simpson
2. Trinidad Chambliss
3. Diego Pavia
4. John Mateer
5. Taylen Green
6. Joey Aguilar
7. Mid+
8. Mid+
9. Mid+
10. Mid
11. Mid
12. Mid
13. Mid-
14. Mid-
15. Mid-
16. Whoever is playing for Kentucky
Just looking at the teams above them saying mid-, I mean he could have just did that again. Instead. he took the time to type out Kentucky. Ouch.
The numbers don't lie
The numbers don’t do much to argue with him though, and I don't think you would get much push back from BBN. Cutter Boley and Zach Calzada have split time under center this season, but the production has been shaky at best:
Passing Stats
- Cutter Boley: 23-of-43, 402 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 138.1 rating
- Zach Calzada: 25-of-53, 234 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 80.5 rating
- Combined: 48-of-96, 636 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT, 106.3 rating
As runners, it’s even worse. Between the two, Kentucky quarterbacks have combined for 32 rushes for just 30 yards with sack yardage.
A decade-long problem under Stoops
The struggles aren’t new either. Since Mark Stoops arrived in 2012, no Wildcat quarterback has thrown for 3,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season, a feat every other SEC program has accomplished during that span. Devin Leary and Will Levis came closest, but they had a current NFL head coach calling their plays, even then thought, they fell short of elite production.
With Bush Hamdan calling the plays and Stoops still overseeing the offense, Big Blue Nation is left to wonder: will it even matter who lines up at quarterback in Athens next weekend? Or is Danny Kanell simply stating the painful truth?
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer.You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion