Will Levis is QB3 in The Athletic's draft big board

The 2023 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is looking to become just the second top-10 pick of the Mark Stoops era. Being QB3 in this class could help lock up that selection.

There are opinions all over the board regarding the former Big Ten transfer, but most seem to think Levis will land in the top 10 when the draft heads to Kansas City in the last weekend of April. The Athletic released their updated big board and the redshirt senior from Connecticut checks in at No. 13 overall one spot ahead of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

“Levis is an enigma for evaluators and draft analysts. There’s a chasm in his quality of play against top competition in 2021 and 2022, for a wide variety of factors. His best offensive linemen left the Kentucky program (as did his top receivers and running backs after 2021) and his offensive coordinator (Liam Coen) returned to the NFL,” writes The Athletic’s Diante Lee. “As a result, some of Levis’ warts were exposed, with his game last October against Tennessee being the worst of it (16-for-27, 98 yards, three INTs).”

“For all the legitimate concerns found on Levis’ 2022 tape, the season prior was full of reasons to believe in his potential. With a more competitive supporting cast around him, Levis was comfortable in a zone-blocking, play-action-heavy scheme that reflects the way many successful NFL offenses attack.”

As we saw play out in Lexington, the transition to offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was not a smooth one for Levis or the Kentucky offense. Liam Coen was brought back to Lexington for a reason. Now the QB1 for the last two years in Lexington will attempt to find a good landing spot.

Keep an eye on Seattle

Last Friday was quite the day for Kentucky football. The program hosted its annual pro day at the Nutter Field House and there appeared to be a record number of scouts and media members in attendance. Most everyone was there to see Will Levis throw.

The Carolina Panthers may have brought the biggest traveling party, but odds seem to favor Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud at No. 1 overall. However, the Seattle Seahawks also had a heavy presence in Lexington last week.

General manager John Schneider, head coach Pete Carroll, quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, and secondary coach Karl Scott were each in attendance at Kentucky’s pro day. Seattle offensive coordinator Shane Waldron worked with Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen at UMass (2014-15) and with the Los Angeles Rams (2018-20) before leaving to call plays for the Seahawks in 2021. Seattle utilizes a similar zone run game, play-action passing game that Will Levis has experience in.

The Seahawks just inked quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year, $75 million deal but there will be outs available for a quarterback that will turn 33 years old in October. With five top-100 picks in the NFL Draft, the NFC West franchise can afford to be aggressive on a quarterback early.

Taking Will Levis at No. 5 overall could be on the table thanks to roster flexibility and scheme fit in Seattle.