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Will Levis

Will Levis (QB) – Kentucky / Senior

6’4″ / 229.0 lbs (Combine)

2022 Stats: 11 games, 185/283, 65.4% completion, 2,406 yds, 8.5 YPA, 19 TDs, 10 INTs, 2 Rushing TDs

{reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/will-levis-1.html}

Awards: #5 Kentucky QB all time (2 seasons)

Measurables: Hand 10-5/8″; Arm 32″; Wingspan TBD (Combine)

Games Watched: [Nino] 2022 at Florida, 2022 at Missouri, 2021 at Vanderbilt. [Efram] 2022 @ Florida, 2022 @ Ole Miss, 2022 vs Georgia, 2022 vs Miss State

PRO’S 

[Nino] Will Levis has elite arm strength and can fit the ball into tight windows. Will has top-level arm strength, making a 60 yd throw look easy. Levis also has the prototypical size at 6’3, 235 lbs for an NFL QB. Levis is mobile in the pocket and mobile enough to extend plays (9:25 left in 1st qtr, Levis takes the snap for a designed QB roll out and delivers a quick strike to TE Dingle, 2022 vs Florida Gators). In 2022 his rushing numbers took a hit due to 43 Sacks and terrible OL play. Will Levis can cause problems for man coverage as he is mobile and can eat big chunks of yards. Levis throws a sharp football and has a quick release (6:56 mins left in the 3rd qtr, Levis takes 2 steps back the pocket collapses and Levis delivers a back footed strike to Barion Brown for 20+ yd 1st down). He has been at the helm of the last two seasons of an NFL pro-style offense (Liam Cohen [Ram] and Rich Scangarello [49ers]. Levis can sit in the pocket and take a big hit while delivering the ball to the intended WR.

[Efram] At 6’4″ 229 lbs, Will Levis has the build that NFL GM’s look for in a franchise QB. He’s a very good athlete, mobile in the pocket while occasionally taking off and utilizing his powerful frame. Levis’ arm strength stands out on tape, with the velocity to effortlessly fit throws into tight windows. He has an elite arm and can hit any throw on the field, which will allow coaches to open up the field for playmakers. Levis must improve his consistency and accuracy, but has shown high end potential as a passer. People call Levis “unprepared” to run an offense, but ran a Shanahan style offense at Kentucky and can make the necessary protection calls and line checks. Kentucky lost its supporting cast this year, and surrounded Levis with awful receivers and blockers. The offense as a whole took a step back, and Levis had a much better 2021 tape with better weapons around him.

CON’S

[Nino] Levis has never had the WOW moment in his two years as a starter in Kentucky. Also, a significant knock to Levis’s game is his terrible turnovers and timing in the backfield (end of 2nd qtr Levis just throws the ball into the endzone where its 4 on 1 coverage, leads to INT, 2021 vs Vanderbilt). Levis tends to get flustered when a lot is going on in the backfield. One thing that Levis needs to lock down is his decision-making. Levis sometimes thinks his arm strength will prevail in any situation, leading to turnovers. Levis needs to have calmer feet when the pocket starts to close. (:60 seconds left in 1st qtr, Levis get happy feet as pocket closes from the right side which leads to a hard hitting sack, 2022 vs Florida Gators)

[Efram] Levis’ time at Kentucky never lived up to the hype, capped off with a disappointing 7-6 record this year. Levis’ inconsistencies plagued his season with turnovers and missed opportunities (25 ints, 17 fumbles in two years). He has a good arm, but can be overconfident and believes he can fit any throw, which leads to some ugly plays. Levis can lock onto receivers and force throws. He makes some elite throws, then misses receivers altogether and chucking some throws into the dirt. His passing game overall needs to smooth over, as the NFL will be less forgiving to these mistakes. The biggest surprise on tape was Levis’ lack of pocket presence. There were plays where Levis would drop back 5+ yards before throwing off his back foot. His instincts in the pocket were occasionally brutal to watch, as Levis poorly retreated from countless rushers.

OVERALL 

[Nino] Will has all the intangibles and traits to be a successful NFL QB. Most of his cons can be fixed with coaching, but his pros can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t, and like myself many GMs believe he has it. The howitzer of an arm combined with size, mobility, and experience in an NFL-style offense will be massive selling points for Will in the 2023 NFL Draft. I’ve seen NFL Comps to Ryan Tannehill and Josh Allen, but his comp is closer to Jameis Winston.

[Efram] Will Levis has the talent, build and athletic traits to be an upper echelon Quarterback, but needs to be smarter as a player and a passer. His pocket presence must be fixed quickly or he will get demolished as a rookie. Levis should play in an easy read system, where he can focus on ball placement while growing his progression skills. He’s a day one starter, but will have plenty of mistakes and turnovers that teams will have to live with. His film in 2021 was much better, and with Levis dealing with nagging injuries this year there’s promise that he can return to his previous play. Will Levis ultimately has the traits to progress into a top 10 Quarterback, but one who may struggle with the tendency to turn the ball over.

Completed by: @NinoBrown_T2T, 02/20/23

Added to: Efram (@Mr1rrelevant), 03/04/23

Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 02/21/23; 03/05/23

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