Kentucky Wildcats Football: Is QB Will Levis Worthy Of Being The Top Overall Pick In The 2023 NFL Draft?

LEXINGTON, KY — While the 2023 NFL Draft is months away, it’s never too late to discuss the NFL Draft. One name that many experts have pegged as the top overall pick is former Penn State transfer QB in Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Levis, a stout 6’3 232-pound native of Newton, Massachusetts, sat out Kentucky’s 24–14 home loss to South Carolina due to a foot injury, has completed 97/141 passes (68.8 percent) for 1,405 yards, 12 touchdowns, four interceptions and a passer rating of 174.9.

While likely to be in the same QB class as Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke, Alabama’s Bryce Young and Heisman front-runner in CJ Stroud of Ohio State, Levis may possess the best physical makeup to be a top overall pick and future franchise quarterback.

In his first full year under center after transferring from Penn State, Levis proved to be the perfect triggerman for Kentucky offensive coordinator, Liam Coen in completing 233–353 passes for 2,826 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 148.3 in 2021.

Under his second offensive coordinator in two seasons in Rich Scangarello, Levis looks primed to take things to the next level.

Stats wise, Levis is projected to surpass his production from last year under Scangarello. And despite his injury, Levis’ NFL Draft stock has not taken a hit. Various scouts have raved about Levis’ leadership, athleticism, NFL-level arm talent and size, and there is a reason why Levis — old for a rookie at 23 — could plug and play in the right system at the next level.

With big games against defending champion Georgia and in-state rival Louisville, and a likely prime time matchup against Cardinals Heisman hopeful QB Malik Cunningham, Levis has the chance to bolster both his draft stock and stake his own claim to being in New York as well.