How Cutter Boley Elevated His Game This Offseason

The backup quarterback is usually the most popular player among the fanbase. During fall camp, Cutter Boley has been arguably the most popular player for the coaches and players too.

Mark Stoops said on Monday that he’s been battling Zach Calzada during fall camp. Bush Hamdan shared even more praise after Tuesday’s practice.

“Cutter’s doing a lot of really good things, and I think you guys know that. Where he’s come from this year to last year, his mental approach, how calm he is out there. He is pushing the needle on this in a big way,” said the Kentucky offensive coordinator.

Boley hears the praise. More importantly, he can feel a difference when he’s on the football field.

“This is the best ball I think I’ve ever played is this fall camp. I took a lot of steps,” Boley told KSR. “The big thing is the command, the operation, not just being a good thrower, but being a good all-around quarterback, being a captain and commander of the offense.”

So what exactly does that look like?

We saw the flashes of greatness at Texas in November. Ja’Mori Maclin saw Boley take a huge jump from spring to summer. “I don’t even know who he is at this point,” the wide receiver quipped. It’s not just the leadership intangibles that are evident. He process the play-calls significantly faster than he did as a true freshman.

“When it comes to decision-making, he’s been very, very good compared to spring. He’s young, so it probably took him a little bit to slow down for him, but I think it’s slowed down for him well,” said Maclin. “He’s quick with his decisions, knows where guys are getting lined up, he’s orchestrating guys, done a very good job.”

The ball looks different coming out of Boley’s hand. We saw that when he was a wiry 16-year-old working out at a summer Kentucky football camp. There were two things his game was missing. He needed to grow into his body and speed up his processor. Adding a healthy breakfast checked one box. It took a little longer for the offense to become second nature, but he’s clearly taken that next step.

Will it be enough for Boley to become the Wildcats’ starting quarterback? That remains to be seen, but Boley is preparing to be ready at a moment’s notice.

“I’m focusing on the now, and not the future, just doing the best and being the best I can right now,” said Boley. “Things will fall into place that need to fall in place. God’s always got a plan. If I just do the best and try my best with what I can now, and do the most with my opportunities they give me, things will fall into place.”

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