Devin Leary makes Golden Arm Award watch list, named Top 10 transfer

Another day, another accolade for Devin Leary. Kentucky’s new quarterback is one of 48 players on the preseason watch list for the 2023 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class.

Leary was a semifinalist for the Golden Arm Award last season at NC State. Prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in October, he was 118-193 with 1,265 yards, 11 TDs, and a 61 percent completion rate in six games, leading the Wolfpack to a 5-1 record and Top 15 ranking.

The season before, Leary broke Phillip Rivers’ NC State record for passing touchdowns in a single season, throwing for 35 scores to only five interceptions at a 65.7% completion rate. For that, he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Over four seasons at NC State, Leary completed 568-of-944 passes for 62 touchdowns and 6,807 career passing yards. He graduated in December with a degree in sport management and is currently working on an undergraduate certificate in business from UK.

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Leary makes the Top 10 of The Athletic’s Transfer Portal Top 100

Also out this morning: The Athletic’s Max Olson and Bruce Feldman’s ranking of the Top 100 transfers in college football. Unlike other rankings, these are based on feedback from college football coaches and staffers across the country and factor in NFL potential, not just college performance. Leary is No. 8 on the list, the top incoming transfer in the SEC.

Leary is one of the most accomplished QBs in this portal cycle as a 26-game starter who was an All-ACC-caliber passer at NC State. He enjoyed a big year in 2021 with 3,433 passing yards, 35 TDs and just five interceptions, but a torn pectoral muscle ended his 2022 campaign after just six games. Leary sought a fresh start after four years in Raleigh and joined the Wildcats just as offensive coordinator Liam Coen returned from the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Leary is Dane Brugler’s ninth-ranked senior QB prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft and has wowed Wildcats coaches with his accuracy and how well he’s fit into their culture.

The Athletic

Former Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis is also on the list, coming in at No. 58. Having two of the top 100 (or rather, 58) transfers in all of college football running your offense is pretty sweet.

Kentucky Wildcats on Preseason Award Watch Lists

This is the fourth preseason award watch list Leary has been tabbed to this season. He’s also in the running for the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and the Comeback Player of the Year. Several of his teammates have also made watch lists this preseason. Here’s a running tally:

• QB Devin Leary: Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Comeback Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
• ILB Trevin Wallace: Butkus Award
• K Alex Raynor: Lou Groza Award
• WR/KR Barion Brown: Paul Hornung Award
• DL Deone Walker: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
• OLB JJ Weaver: Chuck Bednarik Award
• RB Ramon Jefferson: Comeback Player of the Year
• DB Jalen Geiger: Comeback Player of the Year
• Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List: LB JJ Weaver, WR Tayvion Robinson, DB Andru Phillips, DL Octavious Oxendine, QB Devin Leary, OL Kenneth Horsey, OL Jeremy Flax, RB Ray Davis, OL Marques Cox, OL Eli Cox, DB Zion Childress

Additionally, on Tuesday, a trio of Kentucky players were named to the preseason All-SEC Teams. Outside linebacker JJ Weaver and defensive lineman Deone Walker were tabbed to the Second Team while offensive lineman Eli Cox made the Third Team.

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