Kentucky football had a disappointing season, finishing with a 4-8 record and ending the year with a 41-14 loss to Louisville in the Governor’s Cup.
This season was supposed to be one of optimism, as major quarterback recruit Brock Vandegriff transferred from Georgia with high expectations of making an impact similar to former quarterback Will Levis. The team was coming off two straight 7-6 seasons, with many believing they just needed a reliable passer to take them to the next level.
Fast forward six months, and Vandegriff has been benched. His replacement, true freshman Cutter Boley, struggled in his start against Louisville, completing just 6 of 15 passes with two interceptions. Backup Gavin Wimsatt showed some promise but is not seen as the long-term solution for the Wildcats.
The reality is clear: Vandegriff is likely to transfer after being benched, Wimsatt will likely seek a transfer since he’s unlikely to start, and Boley doesn’t seem ready to take the reins. Kentucky also has two three-star quarterbacks coming in next year, Stone Saunders and Brennen Ward, but neither is expected to be ready to start as true freshmen.
Kentucky’s quarterback situation is problematic, and the team should look to the transfer portal for a short-term solution, possibly a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap for Boley or one of the freshmen. Here are five quarterbacks Kentucky should consider targeting:
- Miller Moss, USC
Moss, who faced a short leash at USC, announced his intention to transfer after a solid career in which he threw for over 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. If Kentucky is looking for a quarterback similar to Vandegriff or Devin Leary, Moss could be a strong option. - Kaidon Salter, Liberty
Salter might be the best quarterback available in the portal. He led Liberty to a 13-0 regular season in 2023 and a solid 8-3 record this year, compiling nearly 8,000 total yards and 77 touchdowns in his career. Salter could be a game-changer for the Wildcats. - Thomas Castellanos, Boston College
Despite being benched late in the season, Castellanos had some impressive moments for Boston College, including an upset victory over Florida State. Ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in the transfer portal, he could be a solid addition to Kentucky’s roster. - Matthew Sluka, UNLV
Sluka, a dual-threat quarterback, accumulated over 10,000 total yards across five seasons at Holy Cross and UNLV. Though his exit from UNLV involved NIL-related issues, he has the talent to thrive at Kentucky if the situation aligns. - Rickie Collins, LSU
Once a highly-rated recruit, Collins struggled to find playing time at LSU behind Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier. Now in the transfer portal, Collins could be a promising prospect for Kentucky, offering potential as an incoming talent who was ranked higher than anyone else in the Wildcats’ quarterback room (aside from Vandegriff, who is expected to leave).
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