Kentucky Football is now looking for a new starting QB for the fourth year in a row, which is the bad news. But the good news is there are a lot of talent options out there right now, and most would thrive
under Will Stein’s offensive game plan.
Let’s take a look at how Will Stein helped transform college QBs.
- Bo Nix – 4508 yards, 45 TDs, 3 INTs, 6 rushing TDs.
- Dillon Gabriel – 3857 yards, 30 TDs, 6 INTs, 7 rushing TDs
- Dante Moore – 3046 yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs, 2 rushing TDs
That is production with three different styles, three different guys, and an easy pitch to anyone who needs to develop a little.
And now he will be doing that at Kentucky after news broke earlier that Cutter Boley would be hitting the portal. Let’s jump in with the names BBN needs to know and circle.
10 QB transfers who fit Will Stein
1. Austin Novosad – Oregon Ducks
The fit is natural here; Novosad played for Stein, has a top-15 recruiting profile, and has all the talent needed. He knows Will Stein’s system, knows the terminology, and will be hungry to prove himself. The production hasn’t been there yet, but all he needs is a chance.
2. DJ Lagway – Florida Gators
Was he good this year? No. Is he one of the most talented QBs in college football? Yes. You take that talent and pair it with Stein’s offense, and you could have offensive sparks in Kroger. Looking at how Gabriel, Moore, and Nix, you can see how he helps develop talent that is already there. Lagway has that in spades.
3. Josh Hoover – TCU Horned Frogs
A guy with a lot of production, with over 9,000 yards and 71 TDs, Hoover has all the stats for fans to salivate on. He can make all the throws, but like Boley, has a little bit of a turnover bugaboo.
4. Sam Leavitt – Arizona State Sun Devils
Maybe a similar situation to Tennessee-UCLA? With Boley trending to ASU, Leavitt makes a lot of sense for Kentucky. He can make any throw on the field and is a pretty good runner, though that is not super important for a Stein offense, but it does add a nice dimension when plays break down.
5. Byrum Brown – South Florida Bulls
If you need a one-year stopgap mercenary, you could do way worse than Byrum Brown. He has gone over 3,000 passing yards twice, something Kentucky hasn’t done in over a decade. He is deadly accurate and knows how to win. Makes perfect sense.
6. Deuce Knight – Auburn Tigers
Want someone who looked like an elite player in his lone start? Look no further than Knight, who piled up 6 TD’s and 437 total yards vs. Mercer. Even vs. an FCs team, that is elite production; the battle will be immense for the former 5-star QB, but the talent is even bigger.
7. Beau Pribula – Missouri Tigers
We grabbed one former Penn State QB, and that worked out pretty well, right? Pribula is hitting the portal for the second time after an injury-plagued year in a Tigers uniform. He did finish with over 2,000 total yards and fits the rehab that Stein has worked with other QBs. He will be a name to watch.
8. Katin Houser – East Carolina Pirates
Houser is not the name that will get a fanbase excited, but when you look at the stats, there is plenty to like. In 2025, Katin finished with 3,300 yards through the air and another 180 on the ground. He finished with 28 total TDs and a 66% completion percentage. That last line should have you excited as Stein has said he wants his guys to be nearing that 70 percent mark.
9. Jaden Craig – Harvard Crimson
If you are looking for the next Trinidad Chambliss, look no further than this Crimson QB. He had over 2,800 yards 25 TDs, and 7 more on the ground. Ole Miss found gold with Chambliss from the Division II level, Kentucky can do the same here just from the FCS.
10. Kenny Minchey – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The soon-to-be junior has yet to make a huge impact on the college football world, but he is, like Novosad, a former top-15 high school recruit. He was accurate and showed a power arm in high school. If a coach can transfer that to the college level, he will be a steal.
And there you have it: 10 names to bookmark as we enter familiar territory.
Who should Will Stein call first?
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Drew Holbrook 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
