Will Levis confident in his ability and wants to play in NFL but immediate goal is to win at Kentucky

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Quarterback Will Levis has been a popular player with UK fans on social media but he was also a popular interview at UK Media Day. (Larry Vaught Photo)

Whether it is the transition from high school to college or to a different college after a transfer, it can be overwhelming to get to know so many new teammates — especially for a quarterback who knows he must connect with players to be a team leader.

“You have to learn like 150 new names and I would be lying if I said I knew everyone’s names on the team and staff even now,” said quarterback Will Levis, a transfer from Penn State. “It’s a process to learn how everyone’s minds tick. It has been fun to attack that but it has been challenging.”

Levis has the academic pedigree to indicate he can master most challenges. He graduated from Penn State in three years with a 3.95 grade-point average with a degree in finance. He had a GPA over 4.0 at Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut.

Many believe Levis is in position to be Kentucky’s starting quarterback when the season opens September 4 against Louisiana-Monroe. Coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Liam Coen continue to insist it is a three-way battle between Levis and returning UK quarterbacks Joey Gatewood and Beau Allen.

“I am very confident in my ability. I have been in quarterback battles before but that does not change my preparation,” Levis said. “My true freshman year at Penn State I learned you have to approach every day like you are the man. That stuck with me. If you want to be the best you can be, you have to prepare that way.”

Levis played in a combined 15 games in 2019 and 2020 at Penn State. He completed 61 of 102 passes for 644 yards and three scores and ran 133 times for 473 yards and six touchdowns.

The former three-star recruit said one reason he came to Kentucky was to enhance his chances of playing in the NFL. That’s the type of recruiting pitch coach John Calipari usually makes to recruits wanting to play in the NBA but the addition of offensive coordinator Liam Coen — who came to UK from the Los Angeles Rams — had the same type appeal to Levis. Coen and UK were also among the very first to reach out to Levis once he put his name in the transfer portal.

“My immediate goal is to win games at Kentucky and from team success comes individual success,” Levis said. “I think it is a great offense to get me prepared for the NFL and our personnel is a great fit for this offense. I have always been confident in my ability to throw and I know coach Coen will be able to showcase my arm talent and let me show all the throws I can make.”

Playing in the Southeastern Conference rather than the Big Ten also had a big appeal for Levis because he feels that will also help his chances of playing in the NFL.

“I want to play and beat the best teams,” Levis said. “Just playing in a good conference on a good team and having the connection with the coaches I did is why I am here. I instantly hit it off with the coaches and how they approach the program as a whole. I believe in them and they believe in me.”

That’s why he made his commitment to UK without being able to take a visit due to COVID protocols. He also was finishing his finance degree at Penn State and as a graduate transfer along with the COVID do-over year he has three years of eligibility to use if he wants at Kentucky where he is working on a master’s degree in finance. He recently was featured on a national financial podcast.

“I am just excited to play some football,” Levis said. “I love what I have seen here and now it is time to get out on the field and get ready for the season.

“I was told that BBN had some crazy fans, but I wasn’t really prepared for what to expect. Whether it is on social media or just people reaching out or even when you are just walking around town, you get noticed. It’s definitely a special place and that’s why I wanted to be part of BBN.”

6 Responses

  1. I would be lying if I said Beau Allen didn’t deserve his shot at running the Cats but if Levis can win, play him. That said, Coach Stoops likes the grind it out, eat the clock and keep the offense on the field game plan. It will be interesting to see if Coach Coen an stay out of trouble with his boss with a pass happy, take the deep shot offense. While Levis can obviously throw the ball deep, you have to have talented receivers to throw it to. As a hyper accurate mid depth thrower, Allen would seem to fit Coach Stoops football style better with a lower risk throwing offense. This is just based on the numbers. Intangibles play a lot into a coach’s decision and we haven’t seen any of these guys yet in a KY game. Go Cats.

  2. A bit rare for UK to have an abundance of riches in the QB room ( if that is actually the case ).
    Reality says someone will get the nod and someone will change positions and/or transfer.
    Fill in the blanks.

    1. In reality the last few years Stoop was thin on Quarterback depth if I remember right. Now it’s a good thing to have the 3 we have and yes that can change.

  3. I think Coen and Stoops will run a balanced offense, but we will definitely see the ball in the air more in 2021 with this OC. UK has strength on the OL, and a stable full of RB’s not to run it a bunch, and steadily move the chains. I say backs will catch footballs in space from out of the backfield, and from the slot. TE’s will see balls thrown their way as well, but UK will pound the middle with C Rod and company. Levis apparently can get it done. This is an exciting time for UK football fans.

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