Will Levis update: Veteran out vs. South Carolina, Kaiya Sheron starting vs. Gamecocks

Kentucky starting quarterback Will Levis is out for the team’s game against South Carolina on Saturday night. ESPN reported the veteran won’t play just prior to kickoff, instead revealing redshirt freshman Kaiya Sheron is starting.

Levis’ status for the game was in doubt after he suffered an injury last week in a physical loss at Ole Miss.

The senior quarterback was spotted wearing a walking boot around town in Lexington, Ky., this week prior to the game against the Gamecocks. He also suffered a dislocated middle finger in the win.

Kentucky is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season.

Sheron is a second-year player. He was a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, checking in as the No. 888 overall player in the nation according to the On3 Consensus Recruiting Rankings.

He has not yet recorded a pass attempt in college.

Will Levis injury sidelines QB vs. South Carolina

Levis has been a big part of Kentucky’s 4-1 start to the season, which has the Wildcats ranked No. 13 nationally in the AP Top 25. He has gone 97-of-141 passing for 1,405 yards with 12 touchdowns to four interceptions. He has also added two touchdowns rushing.

Teammates have praised the quarterback’s toughness, which should be on display again on Saturday night. And Levis himself has leaned into the description of being a ‘tough’ quarterback.

“I think it’s a combination of how I’ve been able to build myself physically to kind of take those hits, but then also just the mentality,” Levis said earlier this season. “Even if it’s the most bone-crushing, most uncomfortable hit I’m going to do my best to not show that to my teammates to make sure I stand as that individual that they can look to and have faith in.”

But the veteran will have to wait to rejoin the action with Kaiya Sheron starting on Saturday night instead.

Kentucky and South Carolina are slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on the SEC Network.