Eli Cox breaks down relationship with Devin Leary, how the quarterback is adapting at Kentucky

Kentucky offensive lineman Eli Cox has played with a lot of different quarterbacks in his first four years with the Wildcats. This season, he is expected to be blocking for transfer signal-caller Devin Leary.

Leary comes after a successful at NC State, and expectations are high after disappointing 2022 season. Cox told the SEC Network during SEC Media Days on Wednesday that Leary has done a good job finding his footing in the program.

“Devin’s just a really talented football player,” Cox said. “It’s kind of a limbo game when you come in and have to be the quarterback — that’s the leader of the offense. But he’s also a new face. So I think he’s done a really good job of balancing when to step up and be vocal and also when to kind of be reserved, like, hey, that’s not my role just yet. I haven’t earned that spot yet. He’s done a great job of earning the respect from the guys and building that voice as his relationships continue to grow.”

Leary dealt with injuries last season but was excellent in 2021 with the Wolfpack. He completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,433 passing yards and 35 touchdowns while tossing only five interceptions.

Head coach Mark Stoops talked about what Leary’s addition to the program means during his time in front of the media at SEC Media Days.

“I saw in the spring a guy that competes at a high level,” Stoops said. “I love the way he goes to work. He has a lot of confidence. He has a chip on his shoulder, which I like. Obviously for him getting his season cut short a year ago with injury didn’t sit well with him. He’s very anxious to get out there and lead. I feel like just the mindset that he has: a tough kid, Jersey kid, the way he grew up, he fits right in with our culture.”

On3’s Jesse Simonton thinks that the Wildcats will be the third-best team in the SEC East after Georgia and Tennessee.

“I like what the Wildcats have done this offseason in the transfer portal, and Devin Leary has the upside to be one of the best QBs in the league if healthy,” Simonton said. “The return of Liam Coen at OC should be a boon of the Wildcats’ offense, too. I give them the slight edge over the Gamecocks — even though they travel to Columbia in November.”