Will Levis wanted to cherish end of UK career but staying to help out with bowl preparation

Will Levis is not playing in the Music City Bowl but did not want to leave his teammates until the game was over. (UK Athletics Photo)

Quarterback Will Levis has opted out of the Music City Bowl but he still met with media members Friday to explain his thinking and also share his thoughts on several other things;

Question: Even though you are not going to play in the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft, how important is it for you to be there with teammates and part of the process?

Levis: “It is really important. I want to make sure I cherish these last minutes with these guys. I feel like if I had just kind of bounced out and done my thing, I would have not felt great about how I would have left things. I wanted to be able to help teach these guys and be kind of like a coach. It is going to be really fun to have bowl experience with the dudes for the last time. I am just here, working out, helping with the game plan and helping quarterbacks and everyone else on the offense as much as I can.”

Question: As a competitor, was it tough to decide not to play in the bowl game?

Levis: “Yeah, it was tough. I made my decision pretty quickly and I do think it was the right decision concerning the circumstances, especially just physically with me. I took some time after the Louisville game and really didn’t do anything for a couple of weeks. My foot is feeling a lot better and I am finally getting into the swing of things and being able to run again and kind of get back to normalcy. I think I made the right decision but I know once I get down there and practices move along that I am going to feel like I want to be out there but I know I made the right decision.”

Question: Are you still in the healing process from injuries suffered during the season?

Levis: “Still in the healing process. My foot is feeling 85 percent-ish opposed to the whole season when it was not close to that. Shoulder, it’s just a matter of getting the strength back. Not taking any hits on it the last few weeks and now  matter getting the strength back. I am definitely behind where I normally have from a strength and conditioning standpoint so now it is mainly a matter of getting that back. I had a couple of other little things but nothing I am nursing right now.”

Question: Will you stay here to train for the NFL Draft?

Levis: “I am going to Nashville for the whole bowl experience and then I will head back with my family for a few days and then fly back out west to train in California.”

Question: Are you going to play in the Senior Bowl?

Levis: “I am not going to decide for at least another 10 days or so. I have had a lot of other things going on whether picking an agent or just getting my body right. It will be something that I am looking forward to thinking about. I was lucky enough to get invited to both senior bowls and see which one is a better situation for me. I think there’s a good chance I will play in it.”

Question: Are you helping with recruiting?

Levis: “I know we are looking at quarterbacks in the portal and I have been part of the conversations with those dudes to answer any questions they might have and provide any support I can. That has been a cool process to be part of. I think I am probably their best resource when it comes to that since I did the same thing and it worked out pretty well for me.”

Question: How does that quarterback transfer portal recruiting work with you?

Levis: “Coaches would tell me would you mind hitting this guy up and starting a relationship with him. That’s typically how that goes.”

Question: How much emotion goes into picking a school when you are in the transfer portal and how much is a business decision?

Levis: “It depends on the guy’s situation. If it is a guy who already has his degree or is in the last year or two of college football… kind of like me, it becomes a business decision and which situation is most beneficial for them to reach their goals which is to go play at the next level. I don’t think there is a better spot than here. That has been a good way to try and convince these dudes to play here. EVeryone’s situation is different. When it comes down to what your final goals are, I don’t think there is a better place in the country than here.”