Earlier, we reported on Cutter Boley hitting the portal, which was a big surprise to most of BBN. We also gave you 5 names to watch, but a new name is emerging and has Kentucky football looking to pull off a Tennessee-style swap.
Cutter Boley is a lean to Arizona State to go and play for Kenny Dillingham in Tempe. That job is only open because Sam Leavitt decided to enter the portal. Guess who Kentucky is interested in bringing in? Sam Leavitt.
This has Joey Aguilar-Nico Iamaleava vibes when the Vols lost their starter to UCLA, and Joey Aguilar left UCLA to replace Iamaleava. Is it about to be Kentucky's turn?
Why Sam Leavitt would be the ultimate pickup for Will Stein
Last year, Leavitt was hampered by a foot injury that ultimately led to surgery, but two years ago, he was special. He threw for 2885 yards with 24 TD's and 6 INT's, leading Arizona State to a first-round bye in the 2024 CFP, only to come up just short in double overtime against Texas. He also added 5 more TD's and 300 yards on the ground.
He is great when a play breaks down, and has been compared to a young Josh Allen for his improv skills behind center. Anytime you get compared to an NFL MVP, you are doing something right.
But what makes it so interesting is that Stein is known as a QB whisperer who improves everyone he coaches. From Bo Nix to Dante Moore, every QB has loved playing under Will Stein. If you take the raw talent that Leavitt has and pair it with the QB coaching ability of Kentucky's new head coach, you could have a special year in Lexington.
Now, it does not answer the long-term question about who will be Kentucky's answer at QB long-term. But what it does is provide an instant win for the Cats in a year where Stein will want to make a big impression. Our friends over at Saturday Blitz had this to say about Leavitt:
"While he may not have an elite arm, Leavitt is accurate and aggressive, capable of hitting tight window throws both over the middle of the field and to the boundary. If he can get behind a better offensive line with a better run game and reclaim a better decision-making balance, he could be the best quarterback in the country. "Josh Yourish
That sounds like it could be a home run if the Cats can reel him in. He has also been linked to Oregon and LSU. So, it will not be an easy recruiting win, but the buzz is starting to really ramp up.