TEMPE, Ariz. — After weeks of keeping quiet, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has finally broken the silence.

The quarterback battle has been one of the main talking points of fall camp for the Sun Devils, with Dillingham waiting until the very end to name a starter.

Junior Cutter Boley was the clear frontrunner for the job, taking the majority of the first-team snaps in practice. 

On Saturday, Dillingham made it official.

Dillingham named Boley the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, beating out sixth-year Mikey Keene, sophomore Cameron Dyer and freshman Jake Fette.

Despite the lengthy competition, Dillingham said Boley earned the role.

“We think Cutter’s (Boley) the best opportunity for us to go win football games,” Dillingham said. “We feel like he deserves it and he won it.”

In the offseason, Boley transferred to the Sun Devils from Kentucky, where he started 10 of 12 games in 2025 and threw for 2,160 yards.

Dillingham spoke highly of Boley’s athleticism.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s a better athlete than people give him credit for,” Dillingham said.

Before this season, Boley spent his entire life in Kentucky.

Boley was born and raised in the small town of Hodgenville, Kentucky, where he was a four-star recruit in high school before playing two seasons for the Wildcats. 

However, Boley said he has adjusted well to his new environment and is ready for the season opener next Saturday, Sept. 5.

“I wouldn’t want to be with any other group of guys,” Boley said. “Just the family and camaraderie we have here as a unit and as a team is really something special.”