Paul Finebaum reveals how Kentucky QB Devin Leary could go from zero to hero in 2023

The addition of QB Devin Leary has made believers out of people again when it comes to Kentucky. That includes Paul Finebaum as he says, by the end of the season, Leary could make a narrative out of the Wildcats in the next college football season.

Finebaum tabbed Leary as his ‘zero to hero’ candidate on SportsCenter on Friday morning. He said that, considering how Leary’s individual season went in Raleigh last year as well as Kentucky’s campaign as a whole went in 2022, this could end up as a very beneficial marriage for both sides in 2023.

“I remember a year ago Devin Leary was a Heisman candidate. Of course who isn’t?,” Finebaum said.

“At NC State, he got hurt. The season went bust. And he transfers to Kentucky where I think he is going to be on fire,” said Finebaum. “They had a pretty good (quarterback) in Will Levis last year. I think he has an opportunity, a little bit off Broadway here in the Commonwealth, to bring Kentucky back to prominence. They stumbled last year after getting into the Top-10. They lost at Ole Miss early in October and they never recovered.”

As far as his career, Leary’s last season was a zero. After posting career-highs across the board as a junior, he played in just six games before tearing his pectoral. In that final season with the Wolfpack, he threw for just 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns.

With that said, those struggles, as well as Kentucky’s, makes way for an easy case as a hero as Finebaum said. With Levis off to the NFL, he’s in a perfect position to pick up where he left off in helping the Wildcats compete within the SEC East, especially considering their offensive weapons, their feasibly improved offensive line, and the return of Liam Coen as offensive coordinator.

After reaching 10 wins in the prior year and coming in with a lot of hype, last year let some air out of the balloon for Kentucky’s program. That’s why, if Leary can find his groove early, Finebaum likes his chances of becoming a face that UK fans can get behind and that SEC opponents won’t want to see matched up against them.

Leary delivers message to Kentucky ahead of 2023

Kentucky QB Devin Leary was one of the many college quarterbacks who earned the honor of being invited to take part in the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, LA this weekend. Even so, his focus remains back in the bluegrass as he expects big things from his new program this season.

Leary shared a message with Wildcat fans while speaking with reporters at Nicholls State University. He said that Big Blue Nation is in for a ride this season. That’s because every player is putting in the effort to help UK achieve what they ultimately want to in 2023.

“Kentucky fans? We’re in for a ride this year. I can’t wait. I’m going to strap up every single week, lay it all on the line,” Leary said. “And, you know, we’re a family. We’re going out there playing as a family behind Coach Stoops.”

“This year, you know, it’s ours for the taking,” said Leary. “We’ve just got to go out there and put the work in.”