The Kentucky football program made a notable splash this offseason when it hired talented Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein. A new rumor suggests Stein may be closing in on landing, arguably, the best QB in the college football transfer portal.
Mark Stoops is the winningest coach in Wildcats history with 82 victories for the program. However, his overall record is 82-80, and his .506 win percentage is at the back of the top 10 among the various coaches that have led the program. While he has done great things for Kentucky football during his 13 seasons overseeing the program, going 9-15 over the last two years recently brought an end to his run in Lexington.
While the university did not get a former head coach to replace him, they did land a high upside option in Stein. The former Ducks OC is a Kentucky native and is viewed as one of the best play callers and QB gurus in college football right now. Furthermore, it seems his ability to connect with young signal callers is quickly paying off for the Wildcats.
Kentucky Close To Signing Sam Leavitt?
According to On3’s Kentucky reporter, Jacob Polacheck, Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt met with the new Kentucky head coach on Friday night, and the pair allegedly “sat and watched film until midnight.”
Does that mean the player viewed by some as the best QB in the portal is headed to Kentucky? Of course not. But, boy, it is a pretty good sign considering Stein’s reputation to connect with and develop QBs. Oregon’s Dante Moore could be the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft, and Leavitt surely recognizes that since he has his own goals to go high in the 2027 or 2028 draft.
Entering the 2025 season, Leavitt was primed for a potential Heisman contender season. However, a season-ending foot injury limited him to just seven starts. He is very smart with a football, has a good arm, and is strong at processing plays before the snap. While he is not an elite athlete, he is dangerous scrambling or running.
