One of the highlights of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday night focused on the lack of work.
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis entered the night seen as one of the four best players at that position and is expected to be a top 15 player. Instead, he ended the night still waiting to learn his fate, out of the round altogether and on the second Friday of the draft.
The evening featured a rush on quarterbacks, with Alabama’s Bryce Young going #1 overall to the Carolina Panthers, followed by Ohio State’s CJ Stroud going #2 with the Houston Texans and Anthony Richardson of Florida going #4 to the Indianapolis Colts. .
The Levi’s, who were tied with the Colts at No. 4, had never had their name heard from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
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At 6-4 and 229 pounds. Levis offers modular size and portability for on-the-run play. However, his most notable trait is his great arm strength, as he bragged to NFL scouts that he had “a cannon, and I want to show it.”
“I think I’ve got one of the strongest arms out of any classroom in recent memory,” added Levis.
However, his 2022 season did not go as planned. Amid multiple injuries and while working under a new offensive coordinator, Levis struggled with a spotted ball situation. He has not thrown for more than 230 yards against any SEC opponent.
Still, Levis stuck with his ability to take over from the start.
“I think I’m instantly able to immerse myself in an attack, learn it really well, and become a very quick leader for whatever team I play for,” said Levis. “But obviously the goal is to progress. I want to get better every year. I don’t expect to be the best player in the league right in the league.
“That’s what development is all about. That’s what I will rely on the coaches, the coaching staff and the players around me to help get to this level.”
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