Will Levis prepared to win big as starting quarterback at Kentucky

The cream quickly rose to the top in Kentucky’s quarterback competition, with Will Levis emerging as the “clear” winner after just one week of fall camp. Joey Gatewood and Beau Allen fought, but the Penn State transfer was simply the best man for the job.

“They all have done some really good things throughout camp, but this was clear,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said Sunday. “We were ready. It was the right time. … You want to make the right decision first and foremost over rushing it, but once we came to that conclusion, we felt there was no reason to delay this decision.

“… He won the job.”

Checking off all the boxes

Leading up to the decision, Levis had been completing 74 percent of gradable reps in practice and scrimmages. His first throw in a live setting was a 65-yard touchdown strike to Wan’dale Robinson. He’s thrived as a leader off the field, as well. After checking off all of the boxes in fall camp, it became apparent that Levis was the team’s best option.

“I think just Will’s work ethic and the way he came in and ran the show,” UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen said of the decision. “His personality is one guys kind of naturally follow. I think that obviously — you guys can see some of the arm strength talent and some of the things that he can do throwing the football.”

The team wants to win football games, and the staff feels the Penn State transfer is the best quarterback to help make that happen.

“He’s got to clean up some of the plays that he hasn’t repped as much and he hasn’t gotten a ton of reps at,” Coen added. “But I do think that right now he gives us the best chance to win.”

Levis knew he had a competition on his hands when he arrived on campus, especially with Gatewood and Allen having a 15-practice head start with Coen. It was one he embraced, and after a strong performance to open camp, felt confident he won.

Hard work pays off

“I’ve done really well this camp, I think,” Levis said Tuesday. “I’ve seen the dividends of the work I’ve put in this summer, the extra hours I’ve put in the film room, putting in the extra work. It has paid off, I’ve seen.”

And after officially earning the title of QB1, he’s excited to lead the program without looking over his shoulder. The coaches have entrusted him with the offense, and he’s confident his play will make them proud of their decision.

“Feels great, it’s a big weight off my shoulders,” Levis said of being named the starter. “I think just to have the trust of the coaches. They definitely expressed that to me, that they found the guy for the offense. Don’t really have to be looking over my shoulder, even though I’m walking in every day competing. Beau (Allen) and the other quarterbacks know that it’s their job to come in and try to take the job from me every day.

“So it’s a great feeling just knowing they’re entrusting me with this offense and I’m excited to get rolling.”

Nebraska game film

Throwing just 102 balls in two years at Penn State, Levis’ game tape was limited when Coen recruited him out of the portal. One game in particular, though, sold him as a potential high-impact player in the SEC.

Penn State fell behind 24-3 to Nebraska early in the first half, leading to a switch at quarterback midway through the second quarter. In seven possessions, Levis created six scoring opportunities that included two touchdowns, three field-goal attempts, and one turnover on downs inside the red zone. He finished the day with 219 yards on 14-31 passing to go with 61 yards on 18 carries.

It was a game Coen regularly looked back on during the recruiting process and upon Levis’ arrival on campus that had him dreaming big.

“I just kind of went back and watched some of his film from the year before when he did get the opportunities to throw the ball and not be worried about getting pulled or things like that,” Coen said Tuesday. “I really kind of referenced that Nebraska game. In the second half, he led those guys back from a couple-score deficit and gave them a chance to win. He made some plays in those situations that I thought could translate to this level and to our offense. I just figured we should give it a chance.”

“That game is the best example of my arm talent and the ability I have to throw the football,” Levis said of the Nebraska matchup. “I could’ve played better to put us in a better position to win, but that was the best tape I think I had from Penn State. That showed my ability to run an offense and throw the ball around.”

Now at Kentucky, Levis is confident that his full-time role will create more opportunities for similar performances.

Accuracy matches arm strength

“They entrusted me with the starting position, and that comfort level of staying in the pocket, throwing accurate balls, and making good decisions,” said Levis. “It’s going to get a lot higher.”

Accuracy has been a pleasant surprise for not only the Kentucky coaching staff, but Levis himself. Once known as a running threat with a powerful-yet-inaccurate arm, ball placement has now become one of his bigger strengths.

“At the beginning of my career, that definitely was fair,” Levis said of inaccuracy gripes. “That’s something I’ve really worked on the last couple of years to hone and get better at. You can ask anyone who’s been around camp that I’ve been pretty accurate and I’ve been able to put some touch on those balls when needed.”

“I think that’s the big one, the ball placement down the field,” Coen said of Levis’ improvements. “And in the intermediate game, I think that’s something that he’s shown some ability to be accurate, especially being a guy that has a stronger arm. You would think maybe there would be more inaccuracies than there are.

“I think still, the quick game, some of the intermediate and shorter things we need to work on. Some accuracy (fixes), but that’s just him getting more reps and reps at this offense. He’s going to work his tail off to get it done.”

“Whatever it takes”

Levis is no longer the run-first threat he was at Penn State. Now, he’s developed into a well-rounded passing threat capable of making an impact on the ground from time to time.

“At Penn State, that’s what they asked of me. I really worked on that in the offseason and during the season, learning how to run the ball effectively. Wasn’t a big runner in high school, but got a bit faster when I went to Penn State, learned how to run and be physical, get yards. It worked out. That’s still going to be a part of my game, obviously, just not as extensively as it was beforehand. Just looking forward to pulling the ball and making plays when need be.

“… I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”