Few people in college football are busier right now than Will Stein. Kentucky’s new head coach is balancing multiple responsibilities at once, preparing for his debut season in Lexington while still serving as Oregon’s offensive coordinator as the Ducks get set to face Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals. On top of that, Stein has been aggressively working the transfer portal to build his first Wildcats roster.
Kentucky’s most pressing need was at quarterback after Cutter Boley transferred to Arizona State. After some patience and persistence, the Wildcats have their answer, landing former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey. Here’s how his story unfolds and why he matters for Kentucky.
Former Big Time Prospect
Minchey comes from Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and entered college football as one of the more respected recruits in the 2023 class. He ranked No. 170 nationally, third overall in Tennessee, and 14th among quarterbacks.
As a junior in high school, Minchey threw for 3,280 yards and 32 touchdowns. He initially committed to Pittsburgh, but when Notre Dame extended an offer, he changed course and joined the Fighting Irish. Along the way, he earned spots in both the All-American Bowl and the Elite 11 Finals.
A Limited Sample Size
Minchey’s time at Notre Dame offered only brief glimpses of his potential. As a freshman, he completed both of his pass attempts for 12 yards. In his second season, he competed for the starting role, but Duke transfer Riley Leonard won the job, limiting Minchey to just one completed pass for four yards in 2024.
Last season followed a similar pattern. Minchey again battled for the starting spot but lost out to CJ Carr. He did see more action in 2025, appearing in six games and completing 20 of 26 passes for 196 yards, while also adding 84 rushing yards and a touchdown.
After the season, Minchey entered the transfer portal. According to 247 Sports, he ranks as the 12th-best quarterback and the 59th overall player available. He initially committed to Nebraska before flipping to Kentucky a day later. Minchey arrives in Lexington as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Some evaluators have even drawn comparisons between Minchey and Dante Moore, a quarterback Stein knows well.
Now that we’ve covered his background, here’s how Minchey fits into Kentucky’s plans.
Quarterback Of The Future
Kentucky’s quarterback room is undergoing a complete reset. Boley is gone, Zach Calzada and Beau Allen have exhausted their eligibility, and former highly regarded backup Stone Saunders entered the portal. Brennen Ward is the only returning quarterback.
The Wildcats will also welcome Ohio standout Matt Ponatoski as a freshman, but Minchey is positioned to take control of the job immediately.
Kentucky explored several other options, including Sam Leavitt, who visited recently and was widely projected to choose UK before momentum shifted toward LSU. Elon quarterback Landen Clark is also expected to visit. In the end, Stein adjusted quickly and secured Minchey, a highly rated talent who is ready for a larger role.
Thanks for checking out this major transfer portal update as Kentucky lands Kenny Minchey. A closer breakdown of Stein’s early additions in Lexington is coming soon.