ESPN Feature: Devin Leary trying to shake "injury prone" stigma

In December Christmas came early for Mark Stoops when Devin Leary announced his decision to transfer to Kentucky. The warm reception was celebrated locally and praised nationally throughout the college football world, with one caveat…

… if he can stay healthy.

That if has come to define the offseason for the Kentucky football program. All conversations about the Cats eventually lead back to the offensive line. Even if the four transfer portal additions remedy the sack problems the Big Blue Wall forced Will Levis to endure a year ago, the questions around Leary linger.

Can the injury-prone quarterback stay healthy?

ESPN’s David Hale asked the former NC State quarterback that question, one Leary has answered, and will continue to answer, until he joins an NFL roster.

“Man, I just took two bad hits,” Leary shared for a lengthy feature for ESPN.com. He noted his injuries were not reoccurring soft tissue injuries, rather freak accidents that bookended his stellar 2021 season.

“I pride myself on being tough and taking hits and standing in there,” Leary said. “But that’s just a part of my journey, and I’ve learned to embrace it.”

His journey includes a surgery Dr. James Andrews previously had never performed. Since deciding to go under the needle, he’s completed rehab and returned to throwing to his new Kentucky teammates in spring practice. Devin Leary admitted it took him some time to shake the soreness off, but by the first spring scrimmage he was ready to deliver.

The offense was down and needed a big play. Leary read the defense, took the snap and zipped a laser over the middle between two defenders for a huge gain. The entire tone of the practice changed. With one throw, it was clear: Leary’s arm was back, and his role was established.

“All the guys were juiced up,” said right guard Eli Cox. “And that’s when you know.”

David Hale, ESPN

As he proved to his teammates this spring, he’s motivated to show the world he’s not an injury-prone quarterback, just a damn good quarterback.

[ESPN: Quarterback Devin Leary’s comeback starts now at Kentucky]