#BBN:
w o n K o t g n i t t e G s i v e L l l i W by Larry Vaught | photos by Vicki Graff
At
this time last year, Will Levis was still a relative unknown, even to his University of Kentucky teammates and coaches, after transferring from Penn State. The quarterback knew he had to tread lightly until he gained the trust of his teammates and coaches, but this summer, he’s clearly not only the leader of the team but the face of the program. “Certainly, I wanted to come in and be the starter and leader, but when I got here, I had not been named the starter even [though] was my goal. I just tried to lead by example and by being vocal,” said Levis. “Now I am a team captain and starter. I am more comfortable talking to guys directly because now I am the starter.” Not only is he the starter, but Levis is considered not just one of the best quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference – but in the country. He’s mentioned as a possible first-round pick in almost every 2023 NFL mock draft and has seen his name listed No. 1 in the draft after completing 233 of 353 passes for 2,827 yards and 24 scores. He also ran 107 times for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. He was fourth in the SEC in touchdowns and in the top 10 in nine other categories. Former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch – the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL draft – watched every UK game last season and was impressed with the progress Levis made. “At first, he was an inexperienced player with a lot of talent, but in the last four or five games, he played really good football,” Couch said. “That’s why his name is being mentioned in the first round. He’s got all the skills you want. He has a big arm and seems like a great leader. “He had not played a whole lot before he got to Kentucky. He went from an unknown guy to everyone knowing his name and being mentioned for SEC player of the year and
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even the No. 1 pick in the draft. For some guys, that pressure could be overwhelming, but I think he will more than live up to all the expectations.” Levis readily admits he did not feel comfortable until midway through the 10-win 2021 season and then realized he was a “pretty damn good quarterback.” He also says it has been impossible not to see and hear the early NFL draft projections. “I don’t focus on things I cannot control, but just having your name mentioned like that is pretty cool. Mock drafts don’t mean anything, though. If we have a good season, individual recognition will come with that,” Levis said. “It always feels good when people say good things about you, but you cannot let things good or bad sway who you are as a person.” He didn’t get overwhelmed when he met legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady at a charity golf event in Las Vegas in June that also included NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. He went with his father and knew someone who had “connections” with Brady, who introduced them. “I looked up to him as a kid. I grew up in New England going to parades [after the New England Patriots won Super Bowls] and cheering for him,” Levis said. “I was rehearsing for what to say if I got to meet him. He has done so much for me that he could never imagine. It was cool to pay my respects.” That’s why he appreciates the attention he gets from UK fans, especially young fans, and will always sign autographs or pose for photos. “I remember how it feels to look up to an athlete, and to be that person now others look up to is amazing,” Levis said. “I always want to meet and connect with young fans. I will never take that for granted, and I will show as much love as I can for fans of all ages because that’s just the right thing to do.” •
TOPS in Lexington | July 2022
