Now that the 2022 college football season is over, it’s time to start taking a closer look at some of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL draft class.
Next up, we have former Kentucky QB Will Levis.
- Big board rank: 3
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 232 pounds
Stat to know: Levis earned a 90.6 PFF grade in 2021, 10th among qualifying Power Five quarterbacks.
NFL role: The Connecticut native burst onto the scene in 2021, producing 33 touchdowns and leading the Kentucky Wildcats to a 10-3 record.
While Levis oozes more potential than almost any prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, he is far from NFL-ready right now. He will most likely be a top-five pick based on his tools alone, but he may not be the Day 1 starter for the team that drafts him.
The Kentucky QB took a step back statistically this season and has a lot of work to do before entering the NFL. However, if he can put it all together, he could be a star at the next level.
Dane Key isn’t afraid of this moment. That was a beautiful throw by Will Levis. #BBN pic.twitter.com/32TA9jniuC
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) September 11, 2022
Highest-graded game: WEEK 7 VS MISSISSIPPI, STATE (80.3)
Levis went 17-of-23 for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception but ended the game with zero turnover-worthy plays and an adjusted completion percentage of 75%. He also averaged just 2.11 seconds to throw the ball, given the pressure Mississippi State was able to bring.
Lowest-graded game: WEEK 9 VS TENNESSEE (39.8)
This was definitely a game to forget for the Kentucky quarterback, ad unfortunately for him, it came on the biggest stage. Levis threw three interceptions and failed to reach triple-digit passing yards. He took four sacks and had four turnover-worthy plays — scouts will want to throw this tape out.
What he does well: Levis has elite physical tools for the quarterback position — if the draft were based on pure potential alone, he would probably go No. 1 overall.
He has exceptional arm talent with a lightning-quick release, and his 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame perfectly fits the NFL QB mold. He can make any throw on the football field, and there are times when he makes it look easy.
He’s not just a pocket passer either, as Levis also possesses a dynamic running ability that should bode well for him in the pros. He produced 516 rushing yards in 2021 — 287 designed yards and 229 scramble yards — so the dual-threat ability is still there. And I fully expect Levis to use his legs at the next level.
27 days til kickoff. Let’s watch @will_levis first of four rushing touchdowns from our blowout win on November 27th, 2021 pic.twitter.com/a0xvdNzLEM
— Barstool Kentucky (@BarstoolUK) August 8, 2022
What he needs to improve: The talent is there. The physical tools are there. The athleticism is there. He just needs to put it all together.
After an amazing 2021 season, we would’ve loved to have seen him take that next step this year, but instead, we saw regression. In 2021, he posted a 90.6 PFF grade, which dropped to 68.6 in 2022.
He will need to drastically improve his accuracy and decision-making if he wants to live up to the hype as a potential top-five pick.
Best NFL traits: Size, arm talent, quick release and strength.
Best NFL fits: Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans.
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