Getty Image / Andy Lyons
For some reason, NFL teams love Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Levis originally started at Penn State, where he couldn’t beat out Sean Clifford. Clifford is not exactly an elite quarterback. But, Will transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2021 season and the strong-armed quarterback won the starting job. And, yes, Kentucky did win games with him last year. He completed 66% of his passes for 2826 yards and 24 touchdowns to go against 13 interceptions. And, he shot up draft boards due to comparisons to Josh Allen related to his size and arm strength. Now, one could argue that people who had him so highly rated don’t really know what they’re talking about. But, it was nearly every analyst. Not even the fact he eats bananas without peeling them or puts mayo in his coffee could dissuade them.
But, 2022 hasn’t been as good. His stats look good, as he’s completing 68% of his passes and has 16 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. But, over half of those touchdown passes have come against teams not in the Power 5. He hasn’t thrown for more than 230 yards against an SEC team, either.
On Saturday, he hit rock bottom.
Will Levis struggled as Kentucky gave Vanderbilt their first SEC win since 2019
Whenever an SEC team loses to lowly Vandy, you know it’s not good. Sure enough, Kentucky played absolutely awful and lost to the Commodores 24-21, at home.
Will Levis did them no favors. He was only 11/23 for 109 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. That’s a dreadful stat line against a really bad opponent.
Joe Milton III had more total yards than Will Levis today.
Levis played all four quarters against Vanderbilt. Milton played two drives against Missouri.
— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) November 12, 2022
Will Levis passed for just 109 yards today in Kentuckyโs loss to Vanderbilt.
The Kentucky QB hasnโt passed for over 200 yards since Week 7 ๐ฌ pic.twitter.com/nGClRyvtF6
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 12, 2022
Will Levis went 2-10 for 18 yards in the second half against one of the worst passing defenses in Power-5 football. Just an absolute disaster on every level for UK today but it's embarrassing how terrible this offense is under Rich Scangarello.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) November 12, 2022
There are people who get paid to watch and write about NFL draft prospects that want a team to take this guy to be a franchise quarterback.
Will Levis lob into double coverage ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/8bnqazn8SS
— ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐ช @๐๐ง๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ณ (@FTBeard7) November 12, 2022
Mel Kiper makes six figures and this is what he thinks.
Yes, Will Levis is still a top pick in the NFL draft. pic.twitter.com/BINgo9xqDl
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) November 3, 2022
It’s astonishing. This kid stinks. Imagine taking him over Hendon Hooker at Tennessee. Sadly, NFL teams do this kind of stuff with quarterbacks all the time and then wonder why their teams are never good.
It won’t get easier, as the Wildcats will play Georgia next week.