Mark Stoops discusses Devin Leary's excitement to play in Gator Bowl

Kentucky found its shiny new quarterback out of the transfer portal in Brock Vandagriff on Wednesday morning. One year ago, Devin Leary was the hot new topic in Lexington in the same way — now, the fifth-year college veteran is gearing up to play his final college football game in a few weeks.

Head coach Mark Stoops revealed what his quarterback’s mindset will be heading into the Gator Bowl against a ranked Clemson team despite his emotions surrounding the game.

“I know he’s excited to play. I think he’s excited for one more opportunity with this team and to go play well,” Stoops said on Monday. “Certainly, finishing the way he did should give him a little momentum and hopefully we’ll keep that going because we’re going to play a very, very good and talented defense in Clemson.”

While Leary will round out his career in Lexington, he was a star at NC State before he hit the transfer portal last offseason. He will finish his college career with just under 10,000 passing yards and likely just shy of 90 passing touchdowns.

At Kentucky he threw for 2,440 yards and 23 touchdowns ahead of the Gator Bowl. While his final regular season was shaky at time, it included a 372-yard passing performance in a 33-27 loss to Tennessee and rounded it out with a three-touchdown performance in UK’s upset win over a top-10 ranked Louisville team.

Of course, after Kentucky’s mid-season slump after its 5-0 start, the Wildcats will be looking to make the most out of this opportunity against a team with the notoriety of Clemson. Getting to eight wins on the year is all you can ask for with Kentucky after it lost five of seven games to close out the regular season.

““I think it would be very important. … You just feel a little better about the team and things during the offseason — just winning that last game,” Stoops said of winning the Gator Bowl. “Bowl games are fun. [There] are two games all year, that I know of, that we are going to get handed a trophy, or you’re not. The Governor’s Cup, at the end of that game, you’re either going to be presented a trophy, or you’re going to walk into the locker room. Bowl game — same thing.

“Not such a good feeling walking right into that locker room. It’s a much better feeling to be presented with that trophy. No matter who we’re playing, but certainly with the reputation and the prestige of Clemson would mean something.”

Kentucky and Clemson will kick off at Noon ET on Friday, Dec. 29 live on ESPN. The Tigers have jumped out as seven-point betting favorites over the Wildcats, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under total is set at 46.5 points.