Mike Glennon: Don't Downplay the Arm Strength of Devin Leary

For two years Kentucky fans marveled at Will Levis‘ cannon. It propelled the Cats to a 10-win season, but left some wanting more as he received a season’s worth of NFL Draft hype. There could be some lingering arm strength fatigue around the Big Blue Nation, but don’t get it twisted, Devin Leary has a hose.

That is exactly how former NFL quarterback Mike Glennon described the Kentucky quarterback in a lengthy conversation with Kentucky Sports Radio. The former third-round pick played for seven teams over ten seasons in the NFL. One of many former NC State quarterbacks that went on to start in the NFL, he believes Devin Leary can be the best of the best.

“NC State has had some really good quarterbacks come through that program. There’s been Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson, there’s myself, Jacoby Brissett and Ryan Finley and I’m not sure the ball jumps off a guy’s hand better than Devin Leary,” Glennon said. “The guy has an absolute hose.”

Once his college career concluded, Mike Glennon remained in Raleigh during the offseason. He spent plenty of time working out at the NC State facility and watched Leary grow as a passer throughout his time with the Wolf Pack. One thing remained: Leary always had a rocket arm.

“I know Kentucky fans are used to having Will Levis. I’ve never seen Will throw in person. I know he’s known to have a strong arm as well. But I’ve seen all those other guys throw in person. Was teammates with Russell Wilson, saw Phillip Rivers firsthand, seen Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Finley all those guys, and Devin — the ball just jumps off his hand. The rotation, the spin, the tight spiral: that’s the strength of his game is how well he can throw the football.”

Glennon had a front-row seat to watch Devin Leary grow, but it was mostly in a workout setting. The NFL quarterback caught some games on TV here and there. As his professional career neared an end last fall on the Dolphins’ practice squad, he dove into more film in preparation for a career in media. Glennon was shocked by what he saw.

“I knew Devin had a good arm. I didn’t realize it was this good,” he told NC State receiver Thayer Thomas. “There are some throws from point A to point B, it gets there so fast. He can throw it far down the field or he can throw those deep out comebacks and it’s not like he’s having to float it to get it there. It’s getting there in a hurry. I’ve been around a lot of guys in the NFL with strong arms, and I’m not trying to put pressure on him, but he has that kind of arm talent to get to the next level.”

Glennon goes into even greater detail and shares stories from his NFL playing days during an enlightening conversation on the KSR Football Podcast.

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