Heading into the 2022 season, CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio St), and Bryce Young (QB, Alabama) have been the leading candidates for every QB accolade imaginable. Heisman favorite, the first overall pick, dynasty 1.01, you name it, those guys are firmly in that discussion. However, one name that is starting to draw more attention for the top spot, is Kentucky Quarterback Will Levis.
The former Penn State transfer arrived in Lexington (KY) in 2021, after never retaining a starting role with the Nittany Lions. It was a strange situation, as most would agree that Levis should’ve been the starter there, but it just never happened. The move to Kentucky though was also strange at first glance. Known to be a college basketball powerhouse, Kentucky is usually not the first or even second school that college prospects consider as an option. Will Levis, since enrolling, has started to change the narrative.
The pro-style passer finished his first season at Kentucky with 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and 2,826 passing yards. The numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but it was the big plays and big wins that put Levis on the radar by the end of the year. Levis led Kentucky to just their second 10-win season since 1977. Crazy, I know. Strong performances against LSU, Georgia, and Tennessee, and a win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, showed that Levis could handle a starting role against highly ranked programs, especially in the SEC.
This year, Will Levis has looked great. With a stat line of 12 total touchdowns, four interceptions, and 1,185 passing yards, Kentucky has a 4-0 record and is currently the seventh-ranked team in the nation. What stands out about this QB is his ability to make something out of nothing. He is a pocket passer but has a great ability to move within the pocket. He is a natural athlete but continues to show poise and patients while letting a play develop.
Listen, I get it. Will Levis isn’t a “new name” that is having a Cinderella season or anything. He did, however, have some question marks as to whether he could continue to keep Kentucky playing at a high level in the SEC. So far, I’m impressed. With a huge early season win over fellow QB prospect Anthony Richardson and the Florida Gators, Levis showed a level of grit and confidence in a road game that we weren’t sure we’d get. Kentucky still has a few heavyweights left on their schedule, including another big road game against Tennessee, and a meeting with number one ranked, reigning national champion, Georgia.
Will Levis doesn’t need to have an undefeated season to keep his spot as the third projected QB off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. He just has to keep Kentucky on the map. With no high-profile offensive weapons that are projected alongside him in the draft, it’s all on Levis to keep the Wildcats alive. It’s going to be extremely hard for him to leapfrog Stroud or Young for Heisman consideration, but his draft capital can increase. We saw the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers trade up in the 2021 NFL Draft, to get two quarterbacks that they felt had a higher ceiling than the rest. The Texans, Giants, Panthers, Lions, and Seahawks all should have Will Levis on their radar. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Levis shows enough promise this year to jump into the No. 1 overall pick discussion. A 6’4″, 230 lbs. gunslinger that was able to make a basketball school have real football relevance, could put him there. He’s a sure-fire top-five dynasty rookie pick for 2023, regardless of the landing spot. The QBs ahead of him have teams built for a national title, but Levis does not. The fact that he’s firmly in the same discussion as Stroud and Young, should tell you everything you need to know.
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