Kentucky QB Devin Leary Discusses Future

Quarterback Devin Leary is nearing the end of his first season in Lexington. His days in a Kentucky uniform are numbered. Tuesday evening we got a better idea of how many more times we will see him suited up in No. 13.

A Super Senior, he went through Senior Day ceremonies ahead of the Alabama game. However, many wondered if he could petition the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility. He suffered a pair of season-ending injuries during his time at N.C. State, including one during the Covid-plagued 2020 season. Most folks who suffered a similar fate that fall have requested and received an additional year of eligibility. Will Leary?

“I honestly haven’t looked into any of that,” said Leary. “Right now my focus is just week to week. I’m trying to be the best player that I can to go out and win on Saturday.”

Potential Bowl Game Opt-Outs

Leary is guaranteed at least two more games at Kentucky, the rivalry against Louisville and a bowl game. Unless you’ve lived under a rock, over the last few years bowl games have rarely featured a full roster and Mark Stoops is preparing for that reality.

“There’s players that are probably going to hit the portal. There’s probably players that are going to get ready for the NFL draft,” Stoops said Monday. “It may be the last opportunity with this complete group.”

Devin Leary will not be one of those players that sits out of a bowl game. The aforementioned injuries, and a Covid-cancellation at the eleventh hour by UCLA in the Holiday Bowl, have kept Leary from ever participating in postseason play.

“I’m excited. I actually had an opportunity in ’21 to play in a bowl game, but it got canceled. That was my only chance when I was healthy, so this one I’m going to live it up. I can’t wait for the experience. Being able to go out and actually play in a bowl game is kind of a dream come true,” said Leary.

Where will that bowl game be? The Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte is the overwhelming favorite with less than two weeks until bowl selection Sunday.

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Devin Leary has Experience against Louisville

This will not be Leary’s first soirée with the Louisville Cardinals. A regular ACC opponent during his time at N.C. State, he went 1-1 in matchups with the Cards. In his first season under center Leary went 24-of-44 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 34-20 loss. More recently in 2021 he threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-13 win at home over Louisville.

This game means a little bit more than those previous two. Leary learned that as soon as he arrived in Lexington.

“I remember first getting here, meeting the fans and little kids coming up to me and the first they’re asking me is to take a picture and throw the Ls Down,” said Leary. “I had just got here. You immediately could tell it means a lot in this state, it means a lot to BBN and Kentucky supporters all across the country, all across the state and this game means just a little bit more.”

Just like the series against Louisville, Leary had split decisions in rivalry games against North Carolina. They fell 41-10 in 2019, then won 34-30 in 2021 after he tossed four touchdown passes.

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