Kentucky QB, former 4-star recruit transferring to San Diego State

by Kirk Kenney

San Diego State has received a commitment from Kentucky transfer quarterback Stone Saunders, a prolific high school passer who entered the portal after a coaching change with the Wildcats.

The announcement was made Monday night on Instagram by Aura Sports, the company that represents Saunders, with a photo of Saunders in an Aztecs uniform and Snapdragon Stadium in the background.

The post said: “Congratulations to @aurasports quarterback client @stone_saunders_8 on agreeing to terms to transfer to @aztecfootball.”

Saunders and Kentucky starting quarterback Cutter Boley both entered the portal after Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was hired last month as Kentucky’s new coach. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Saunders did not play in a game this season at Kentucky, so he arrives as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility.

Bishop McDevitt quarterback Stone Saunders slips away from the pass rush of Exeter's Joel Ummarino in the Crusaders' 48-14 District 3 Class 5A final victory on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Elco High School. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) — Bishop McDevitt quarterback Stone Saunders slips away from the pass rush of Exeter’s Joel Ummarino in the Crusaders’ 48-14 District 3 Class 5A final victory on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Elco High School. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Saunders was a four-star recruit coming out of Pennsylvania’s Bishop McDevitt High School, where he set state records for passing yards (13,719), touchdowns (204) and completions (781) over his four-year varsity career. The 204 career touchdown passes ranks third all-time nationally.

He guided Bishop McDevitt to two state championships (2024 and 2022) as well as state runner-up (2021) and state semifinals (2023).

Coincidentally, Bishop McDevitt is the same high school SDSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Johnson attended.

Kentucky football player Stone Saunders collects donations as part of University of Kentucky's efforts to help flood victims before an NCAA college basketball game between Kentucky and Vanderbilt in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp) — Kentucky football player Stone Saunders collects donations as part of University of Kentucky’s efforts to help flood victims before an NCAA college basketball game between Kentucky and Vanderbilt in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Saunders originally chose the Wildcats over Georgia, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan, according to his Kentucky bio, which said the highlight of his life is winning a state championship. Also, that “if he could eat one thing for the rest of his life it would be anything from Chick-fil-A.”

Senior Jayden Denegal is the Aztecs’ returning starter at quarterback, though Saunders and the team’s other QBs will have an opportunity to compete at the position in spring camp.

Denegal started all 12 regular-season games for the Aztecs, but missed the New Mexico Bowl after undergoing surgery to his left (non-throwing) shoulder in late December. He is expected to be ready in March when spring practice begins.

The quarterbacks room will be substantially different in the coming season, with senior Kyle Crum and freshman JP Mialovski transferring and backup quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. moving to wide receiver.

The Aztecs’ other QBs are redshirt freshman walk-on Draiden Trudeau and Class of 2026 signee Brady Campbell.

SDSU is expected to pull one more quarterback from the portal.