The 2023 NFL Draft Was a Reminder That It’s Not Personal, It’s Personnel 

Don’t trust the internets. Seek guidance from trusted sources. Practice humility. Overcome adversity. Don’t let a single moment define a life. 

All these valuable life lessons summed up the 2023 NFL Draft for Kentucky players. 

Talk inconsistently and errantly circulated about draft-eligible Wildcats going into the three-day selection process. Quarterback Will Levis was the most popular story going into Thursday. There were additional ‘Cats that were hoping to hear their names called. Some pundits anticipated up to five Wildcats to be selected. That estimation failed to materialize after just three Kentucky players were picked. Three players, three unique situations. Let’s get into it. 

Will Levis: 2^nd Round, 33^rd Pick – Tennessee Titans

Will Levis had a rough Thursday night. The NFL thought enough of his talents to invite him to Kansas City to be a part of the pageantry. The “Green Room” is a setting where players wait to hear their names called. It’s also a made-for-television reality show that plays on the emotions of excited conquerors and the despondency of the untaken. Unfortunately, Levis was in the latter category. As Levis dropped, his uncomfortable situation simmered in front of millions of viewers. It was tough to watch. 

A majority of influencers thought that Levis wouldn’t drop any lower than the fourth pick to the Indianapolis Colts. That optimism left me uncomfortable. I thought something was fishy on Thursday, but couldn’t quite understand what it was. The Colts have been a mess as of late. They are still owned by Jim Irsay. So, we should have known better than to have faith in the owner’s preference in quarterbacks. 

The reality of the situation was always that only three of the four top signal callers would likely be selected in the first round. The fourth would unfortunately fall to later in the round or worse; night two. Will Levis drew the short straw. He was the fourth quarterback. 

I felt bad for Will. He and his crew flew back home and didn’t stick around for the second round. I don’t blame him a bit. Levis finally heard his name called on Friday with the 33^rd pick in the second round by Tyler and Drew’s Tennessee Titans. 

I always felt that two NFL head coaches would best fit Will’s personality. They were Tennessee’s Mike Vrabel and Detroit’s Matt Campbell. Both are weight room dudes and former players. The duo has high-intensity levels. Vrabel and Campbell also seemed best suited to absorb Levis’ unique personality. That guess proved right when Tennessee made the call. 

I’m legitimately happy for Tyler Thompson and Drew Franklin. They’re both Titans fanatics. Levis will play in Nashville which is close to Lexington and western and southern Kentucky. A good portion of the Big Blue Nation is Titans’ fans and will be able to follow his career closely. A win-win, right? Wrong. Two things happened with the pick that relates to my catchphrase. 

It’s Not Personal, It’s Personnel

Levis’ fall to the second round was a valuable business lesson for the former Wildcat quarterback. NFL teams don’t draft on feelings; they pick for traits and talent. 32 general managers and head coaches passed on Will Levis. Could it be his pre-draft interactions or interviews were insufficient? Could it have been the toe injury? I’ve heard the banana and mayonnaise shenanigans may have come into play. Who knows, really? Maybe we’ll never know, but Levis will be better for it. 

If I had to guess, I’d say the reasons he dropped out of the first round were driven by health concerns. Also, while banana and mayonnaise were great tricks for social media clicks and NIL, NFL teams don’t really desire eccentric traits in undrafted quarterbacks. Remember, it’s not personal, it’s personnel, and in Levis’ case, it’s business. He’ll be better from it. I have little doubt about it. 

Tennessee is a great landing spot for Will Levis. He’ll have time to sit and learn from Ryan Tannehill who is on his contract’s final guaranteed year. The Titans don’t ask the quarterback to be heroic in order to win football games. Tennessee is thought by many to be one of the best-coached teams in the league. The Titans lean on a powerful run game, a stingy defense, and special teams for success. Sound familiar? That sounds a lot like Mark Stoops and Kentucky. 

In all, I love the pick for Will and for Tennessee. Maybe it was meant to be this way and will work out best for all parties. Finally, in my second part of the “It’s not personal, it’s personnel” take, I’m really happy for Will, Tyler, and Drew. But, I’m a Jaguars fan. I can’t actually cheer for a division rival, can I? Sorry, y’all. Go Jags!! 

Chris Rodriguez Jr.-6^th Round, Washington Commanders

This one warmed my heart. I’ve not been shy about my affinity for the running back. Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a blessing both on and off the field. Hearing his name in the sixth round got me off my recliner. A clumsy, celebratory dance occurred after. My back has been killing me recently, so it was more like a very uncomfortable shuffle to be more accurate.

Regardless, I’m thrilled for Chris. 

Rodriguez Jr. had to endure a questionable suspension that cost him four games and the program’s all-time rushing record. I was hoping he’d go higher. But, Washington is a solid spot. He will reunite with former UK LB Jamin Davis. Both are Wildcats and from the state of Georgia. I may have to buy a Commanders’ hat. They are an NFC team, so rivalry doesn’t come into play. 

C-Rod departs Lexington as a two-time team captain. That’s quite an accomplishment. He also rushed for 3,644 career yards and recorded 32 rushing touchdowns (35 total). Rodriguez Jr. also registered a program-best of 20 100-yard games. The running back will be missed on Kroger Field, in the Joe Craft Football Training Center, and in the community. 

Carrington Valentine-7^th Round, Green Bay Packers

Carrington Valentine decided to forego the Music City Bowl and his final year of eligibility in order to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. I initially had concerns after he made the announcement. I felt that an additional year would boost his draft stock in 2024. The defensive back could have also benefited from another year under Stoops’ tutelage. But, future declarations are individual decisions. I hoped for the very best. 

I started to worry on Saturday that Valentine would follow in Boom Williams’ footsteps and go undrafted after declaring early. The Green Bay Packers finally selected him in the middle of the 7^th round. He was the last ‘Cat to be taken. Carrington will have a chance to make the Packers roster with a strong offseason and fall camp. Valentine’s role will likely be on special teams. His best football lies ahead. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Most Pre-Draft predictions don’t mean *@+%.  Don’t trust anyone. The Network, me, Kiper, nobody. The vast majority of NFL front offices play chess, not checkers. Reading their minds has proven to be an impossible task. 

Three players drafted is a good, but not a great result for the Kentucky Football program. Levis’ drop from the first to the second round was the first blow to the Wildcats’ momentum. 

Several other Wildcats will sign UDFA contracts and be in camps in the near future. I surely hope they stick. I’d like to have seen DeAndre Square, Jordan Wright, Jacquez Jones, and more hear their names called in the draft. But, that didn’t happen. 

We follow these players closely for years and develop feelings for their well-being and future. “It’s not personal, it’s personnel” is tough in this regard.  I truly wish them all the very best. Mark Stoops has coached 25 draft picks during his time as the Kentucky head coach. There will be more. 

The NFL Draft is predictably unpredictable. This year was a not-so-subtle reminder that it’s not personal, it’s personnel. I know I needed that reminder. Now, it’s on to the 2023 Wildcats that are on campus and will soon be participating in offseason preparations for the season. The circle continues. On to the next.