To the average football fan, a quarterback transfer often boils down to star ratings and highlights. And for the most part, that's a fair assessment. The better you play, the higher you are ranked. Simple.
But for Will Stein, the very first thing he looks for is beyond star ratings, highlights, and other such similar general metrics. Stein wants a guy in the 70 percent club. In his portal overhaul, Kentucky's new coach prioritized one specific trait above all else: The ability to complete passes at an especially high level of consistency.
"The best players that I’ve been able to coach at the quarterback position have all thrown for over 70%," Stein explained. From Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel to Dante Moore, Stein’s storied offensive success has been tied to playmakers who find their receivers on a more than regular basis.
The Accuracy Standard
When Stein threw on the tape of Kenny Minchey at Notre Dame, he saw the same "pro-level throws" he recognized in the aforementioned Dante Moore. And he wasn't about to guess on the evaluation, either. Stein called Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to verify the "authenticity" of the player before he ever contacted Minchey himself.
Stein believes in doing your homework before even starting the recruiting process, clearly. Find out anything you can about a player; look and see if it matches the system you're building. And, if so, the hunt begins.
Beyond the 70% completion rate, Stein educated the Kentucky fanbase on what he calls the "DNA traits." He isn't looking for "fake juice" or "rah-rah" leadership. Stein wanted a "program guy" under center who is smart enough to handle the intellectual load of a pro-style system from day one.
DNA Beats Drama
It is all fine and dandy to be out there getting guys juiced up. But if you don't know the call sheet like the literal back of your hand, you 'll be bound to fail in a structure like Stein's.
Though, in just a few months, Minchey has already transitioned from a basic transfer to what Stein has called the "engine" of the spring offense. Stein said he looks like he has been in Kentucky's system for years. That's kind of praise should that should make the BBN's hair stand up.
Again, the quality of Stein's last three passers can't be understated. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos starter, Heisman Finalist), Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland Browns starter at one point, Heisman Finalist), and Dante Moore (projected top pick before returning to Oregon). And, if Minchey is running the offense like those guys did, well... Kentucky may just be in for a big year.
By prioritizing accuracy and high-IQ decision-making over pure arm strength, Stein wants everyone to know one thing. It is not about the deep ball. It is about the right ball, and he believes Minchey can deliver it.