Transfer portal: Ex-Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey flips commitment from Nebraska to Kentucky after just 1 day
In a swift change of plans, quarterback Kenny Minchey has reversed his transfer decision. Just one day after announcing his commitment to the University of Nebraska, the signal-caller flipped his pledge on Monday night and will instead play for the University of Kentucky and new head coach Will Stein next season, according to a report by ESPN.
Minchey, who appeared in six games for Notre Dame last season, threw for 196 yards while completing an efficient 76.9% of his passes. The redshirt sophomore, entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, explicitly sought a starting opportunity for the 2026 campaign.
His initial commitment to Nebraska on Sunday had positioned him as the Cornhuskers' premier target in the portal, viewed as a potential solid replacement for departing two-year starter Dylan Raiola. Raiola entered the portal himself after suffering a season-ending injury.
The sudden flip now sends Minchey to Lexington, where he will play for first-year head coach Will Stein. Stein was hired last month to succeed longtime coach Mark Stoops, following a highly successful stint as the offensive coordinator at Oregon.
Kentucky is coming off a 5-7 season, missing a bowl game for the second consecutive year. While Stoops led the program to two 10-win seasons during his tenure, the Wildcats have not won more than seven games in any of the past four seasons and have struggled to maintain competitiveness within the SEC.
While the specific reasons for Minchey's last-minute change of heart are unclear, his commitment marks a significant early victory for Coach Stein as he looks to revitalize the Wildcats' program. Meanwhile, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule must return to the transfer portal to find a new quarterback to fill the void left by Raiola's departure.
