With the college football season winding down, NFL draft chatter is ramping up, especially regarding the available quarterbacks this April.
While pundits seemingly agree on the top three quarterbacks, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young, and Kentucky’s Will Levis, the order is still up for debate. However, according to former NFL scout Greg Gabriel, “high-level” NFL evaluators have Levis ranked above the others.
After an outstanding junior season in 2021, Levis took a little step back in 2022. In 11 starts for Kentucky, Levis finished sixth in the SEC in passing touchdowns (19), seventh in completion percentage (65.4), and tenth in passing yards (2,406).
There have also been questions about Levis’ decision-making and whether that can improve enough for him to succeed at the next level. After leading the SEC in interceptions with 13 a season ago, Levis threw ten picks in 2022, only one behind conference leader Spencer Rattler of South Carolina.
Despite his perceived shortcomings, many believe Levis has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback, including longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.
In Kiper’s top prospect rankings, he ranked Levis No. 3 overall, comparing him to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“Levis plays in a pro-style offense at Kentucky, and he’s not going to need much time to adjust to the NFL,” Kiper wrote. “He can maneuver the pocket and throw on the run. Many of his turnovers came when he tried to use his arm to force throws, and he’s going to be punished for mistakes at the next level. Levis is the real deal, though, and there are lots of fans of him in the NFL.”
