Mel Kiper Jr. weighs pros and cons with Will Levis

As we head into draft season, every prospect is going to be viewed under a microscope. That’s especially true of quarterbacks as, when it comes to that position, it can often end up as guesswork. Even so, Mel Kiper Jr. is one of the best in the business and, as of the latest episode of First Draft, he broke down the pros and cons when it comes to the game of Kentucky QB Will Levis.

Firstly, as far as pros, Kiper started with the 6’3, 232-pound frame of Levis. Beyond just having the prototypical size of a pro quarterback, though, Kiper also pointed to all the high-quality intangibles he has, specifically in his toughness when it came to injuries as well as the adversity caused by the UK offense at times this season.

“I think, when you look at Will, physically? If you can draw up an NFL quarterback, he’s that guy,” Kiper said. “The size, the stature, the arm, the way he spins it, can make every throw, the toughness, can beat you with his legs. He is a running, dual-threat quarterback.”

“(Plus) the fact that he dealt with adversity. It wasn’t easy at Kentucky. It wasn’t pitch and catch, he didn’t have the elite offensive line this year…In 2023? Terrible offensive line, no Wan’Dale Robinson, no Chris Rodriguez the first four games,” said Kiper. “And he was beat up. How he got on the field? I don’t know. How he finished the year? I don’t know…(But) this guy is passionate about the game (and) loves the game.”

Levis finished his Kentucky career with a 17-7 record overall with 5,232 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. In 2021, when he was far more mobile, he also rushed for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. However, by the end of his time with Kentucky, injuries held him back as well as an offense that was far more stagnant than his first season in Lexington.

Even with those issues, Kiper is well aware that one of the biggest problems people have with Levis is turnovers. He threw 23 interceptions during his time with the Wildcats and lost three fumbles. Still, Kiper was willing to give him a pass because, at some point, those problems are less about ball security concerns and more about a player just trying to get his team over the line.

“Now you talk turnovers, right? Well we’ve heard that about other quarterbacks along the way…(But) you’ve got to try to make a play,” said Kiper. “You’re Kentucky, okay? You’re trying to make plays…What’s the difference? You lose by 10, 15, 20 or you lose by 40. The bottom line is you’ve got to try to get your team down the field and get touchdowns”

Levis, along with Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, are just getting started with their evaluations from experts like Kiper. That’s because teams, specifically ones in need of a quarterback, want to feel secure in their decision to make one of these three their QB1 and the face of their franchise.