Greg McElroy believes Devin Leary is 'better' than Will Levis, but draft stock won't show it

Devin Leary has big shoes to fill at Kentucky. Will Levis was the starter for head coach Mark Stoops over the past two seasons, always being viewed as somebody with huge potential. Many thought he would be an early first-round pick but Levis wound up at No. 33 overall to the Tennessee Titans in the second round.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy does not think Leary has that kind of potential when it comes to the NFL Draft. However, Leary could be an overall better quarterback than Levis during his time in Lexington — something many people might be surprised to hear.

“First of all, as a prospect, he’s not going to get drafted potentially where Will Levis got drafted,” McElroy said. “As a college player, I think he’s better. People are going to say ‘you’re crazy.’ But I remember watching him at NC State the one year he was healthy from wall to wall. He was phenomenal.

The season McElroy mentions comes in 2021, when Leary played in 12 games. He completed nearly 66% of his throws for 3,433 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. NC State won nine regular season games and could have reached double-digits had COVID-19 canceled their bowl game.

A healthy Leary can be a very good Leary according to McElroy. Not just in the air but when on the run, the Kentucky quarterback presents problems to defenses. Even so, the injuries are still a problem.

“He’s very active, he’s gritty,” McElroy said. “He does occasionally take a few too many hits and that is a concern for me because he’s missed two seasons because of injury. Last year, he was out with the shoulder and he tore his ACL a few years ago. This guy has enough juice to keep you honest with his legs, very accurate, he’s good on the run, and he’s tough as nails.”

Kentucky offensive line must keep Devin Leary healthy

As McElroy mentioned, Leary does have some problems with injuries. Multiple problems have kept him out of a significant amount of games in the past. While you think getting behind an SEC offensive line would help, Kentucky mightily struggled in the department last season.

Even if Leary was not going to be the starter in 2023, the protection up front was going to have to be better. But keeping defenders off Leary and letting him walk off fields unscathed will be critical for the Wildcats.

“He has got to stay upright,” McElroy said. “The offensive line last year for Kentucky — the Big Blue Wall became a Big Blue Turnstyle. We can’t let that happen again this year. I know they have been issued a challenge and I believe that group, collectively, will be better because of how Liam Cohen is going to call it and put them in position to protect their new prized possession.”