Kentucky quarterback Will Levis continues to see his stock soar in early 2023 NFL mock drafts. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
Remember how months ago that Kentucky associate coach Vince Marrow said he thought quarterback Will Levis could become a first-round NFL draft pick?
That was a bold statement for a player who had transferred from Penn State to Kentucky and had yet to prove he could be a starting quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.
Levis certainly proved he could play in the SEC and led Kentucky to 10 wins. He helped receiver Wan’Dale Robinson have a record-setting season and become a second-round draft pick. He ran offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense so well that Coen got the chance to leave to go work for the Los Angeles Rams.
Now a lot of others are on the Will Levis bandwagon that Marrow started driving before anyone else. Levis is already being projected as a top 10 pick in the 2023 NFL draft by several draft analysts.
ESPN analyst Todd McShay joined the Levis bandwagon Thursday when his early 2023 mock draft put Levis No. 8 going to the New York Giants.
“Levis needs to find more consistency, but he has a live arm and a big 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame. He has thrived in the quick game at Kentucky, with a lot of run-pass options and screen-type stuff, but there are some Josh Allen-like traits here for new Giants coach Brian Daboll.”
Marrow said on Sunday Morning Sports on WLAP that he felt certain Levis would have been a second-round pick if he had put his name in this year’s draft. Numerous NFL scouts got a good look at Levis during their recent draft preparation and got to see him complete 32 of 42 passes for 192 yards and two scores against national champion Georgia in a 30-13 loss last season.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said on Kentucky Sports Radio Thursday that scouts were also impressed with Levis during UK’s Pro Day when he worked out for the scouts
“I know how motivated he is. It’ll drive him to see any quarterback taken in front of him because I believe he believes he can be the No. 1 quarterback taken. He has that kind of ability and I think he’s gonna have that kind of year,” Stoops said on KSR.
That kind of year for Levis also could make for another special season for Kentucky, which has had two 10-win seasons in the last four years.
“He’s a great leader, he’s competitive. It’s not just about him, it’s about the team. Those kinds of guys make a difference,” Stoops said on KSR.
