Devin Leary Understands Wildcats Must Block Outside Noise

Vicky Graff Photo

During an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show on the SEC Network, Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary was asked what he thought about ESPN’s projected win total of 7.2 for the Wildcats this year with him at quarterback.

Leary gave a great answer, one that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops certainly had to love.

“I honestly think it is our job not to hear that stuff,” the North Carolina State transfer told Finebaum.  “It is our job to block out the noise. Being on social media or around numbers like this, it’s easy to buy into what others are saying but we want to keep the noise in-house.

“All that matters is us and we are striving for excellence every day.”

Leary had great success at NC State before an injury cut his 2022 season short. He still threw for almost 7,000 yards and over 60 touchdowns for the Wolfpack.

He picked UK when he decided to transfer to learn under offensive coordinator Liam Coen but also just to be part of the program coach Mark Stoops has built.

“It was really just the culture here,” Leary said. “What Coach Stoops has built here, the players that are a part of this program, and what they did last year, too, with such a young group.”

But Leary didn’t deny that a chance to play for Coen was intriguing.

“He is truly a player’s coach. I think he’s someone that understands what it’s like to play the position,” Leary said of Coen. “He’s played the position. Coming from the Rams, he’s seen it operate at the highest level being around guys like Jared Goff, Matt Stafford.

“It’s really cool for me being an aspiring quarterback wanting to learn from the best and every single day, he challenges us quarterbacks to be the very best. Bring your A-game every single day. Represent yourself like a pro. Just someone that I love to learn and develop under.”