Kentucky Transfer Portal Watch: QB Devin Leary to Visit UK

Kentucky is in the market for a quarterback in the transfer portal. The success of Will Levis and crowded room of talented wide receivers make Lexington a desirable destination. N.C. State’s Devin Leary wants to see what the Wildcats have to offer in-person.

Sources tell KSR Devin Leary will begin a visit to Kentucky on Tuesday. He’s the first quarterback Kentucky has hosted since the transfer portal window opened Dec. 5. Leary has one year of eligibility remaining.

Devin Leary entered the transfer portal after a promising season was derailed by injury. The ACC Preseason Player of the Year suffered a torn pectoral muscle six games into the 2022 season. The injury to the N.C. State quarterback’s right pec is not expected to affect his throwing shoulder. ESPN reports he could be cleared to throw as soon as March, potentially making him available for spring practice.

2022 was not the only season Leary lost to injury. In 2020 he suffered a fractured fibula that required season-ending surgery.

Sandwiched in-between the injury-plagued seasons was a record-breaking campaign. Devin Leary broke Phillip Rivers‘ single-season passing touchdown record with 35 and completed 65.7% of his passes while only throwing 5 interceptions. Over four seasons at N.C. State he had 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns, making him one of the most productive quarterbacks in the transfer portal. He’s the top-ranked quarterback and the No. 3 player overall in the On3 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

Kentucky Not Alone in Devin Leary Recruitment

Kentucky is the first school to get a visit from Devin Leary, but they aren’t the only ones recruiting the accomplished passer. 247 Sports Brian Dohn says six schools are in the mix: Notre Dame, Auburn, UCLA, South Carolina, Oregon and Kentucky.

“Notre Dame is involved, we’ll see what happens with them and (Texas transfer quarterback) Hudson Card. Auburn has reached out. UCLA, who’s looking for a quarterback. South Carolina has reached out because you want to see what happens with (Gamecocks starting quarterback) Spencer Rattler (and the 2023 NFL Draft). Kentucky has reached out, though I keep hearing (Wisconsin transfer quarterback) Graham Mertz with Kentucky. And Oregon has reached out.”

Graham Mertz was mentioned early and often in the transfer portal process as a potential match at Kentucky. Last weekend he took a visit to Florida. It’s clear Kentucky has multiple talented options in the transfer portal.