Kentucky QB Will Levis dishes NIL advice to elite high school recruits

Three years ago, Kentucky starting quarterback Will Levis was a relative unknown in the college football world.

A three-star recruit in the 2018 class, Levis was toiling on the bench at Penn State behind sophomore starter Sean Clifford. Instead of accepting that role, he opted to transfer after the 2020 season, choosing Kentucky over a host of other schools.

Eighteen months later, he is considered to be a potential All-SEC quarterback this year and an early-round NFL Draft pick in April, should he choose to go that route. Levis has also become one of the pioneers of name, image and likeness (NIL) at the college level, signing multiple deals and building an On3 NIL Valuation of $518K. He’s done so while still remaining focused on his on-field performance, as well as balancing other things in his life.

Will Levis gives tips on how to balance different aspects of being an athlete

In the most recent episode of On3’s Lever Up podcast, he discussed his advice for elite recruits as they themselves deal with NIL and all of the associated opportunities that come with it.

“If you’re able to just be a diverse human being who is multifaceted and is able to communicate with other people and to promote yourself as an individual that people want to represent, it’s not going to take away from the effort that you put in at your athletic level,” Levis said. “Even though that’s the thing that should be at the forefront of your mind.

… If you’re someone who is just a great person at the end of the day, you’re going to put yourself in a position for success athletically, in NIL, and in anything you’re going to do after college sports.”

Levis added that focusing on things outside of your sport have benefits, whether that’s academically, socially or in regard to NIL.

“I think if you are a person who is just focused on football or your sport and you want to be the best you can be athletically at that position, sure you’re going to get scholarship offers and attention. … But if you’re able to embrace all the other things that are put into your lap, whether it’s academics, or your social life, even just the ability to communicate with other people and the friends that you make, [that’s important, too.]”