'They're going to get me ready': Kentucky has been great fit for Devin Leary

Kentucky football again has high expectations despite a tricky schedule in 2023. NC State transfer Devin Leary has much to do with that.

The defensive culture has been established in Lexington by head coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White. Liam Coen is returning to help the offense raise the ceiling. Kentucky is turning to Leary to potentially give the Wildcats some plus level QB play as a super senior this fall.

Kentucky’s new QB1 spoke with ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and explained that his situation with Kentucky has been a great fit for both parties to this point.

“It’s exactly what I’ve wanted, exactly what coach Stoops expressed to me,” Leary said about his experience with Kentucky. “He told me throughout my recruiting process that he was going to surround me with the best guys in the country, and at the end of the day, they’re going to get me ready.”

The goal is to get Devin Leary to the next level. Coen will be running an NFL offense in Lexington. The former UMass quarterback gets a ton of credit for the development of Will Levis. He’ll be trying to do the same thing for Leary this season in Lexington. To help get his new quarterback ready, UK has been watching film of the Los Angeles Rams to prepare for the season.

“It’s really cool to see how Matt Stafford can operate in that offense, how Cooper Kupp runs routes and how Odell [Beckham Jr.] runs routes, and then as soon as we leave that meeting of watching those guys, we go out on the field and run the same exact plays,” Leary said. “So from a transitional standpoint of seeing how the offense translates to the next level, it’s been awesome.”

Leary now is looking to bounce back after a disappointing redshirt senior season was cut short due to injury. The New Jersey native has shown resolve before by responding from a broken leg injury during the COVID-19 season by putting together a 2021 campaign where he threw for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading NC State to a 9-3 finish highlighted by a home victory over Clemson. The high-profile transfer will be looking to do something similar for Kentucky.

“Unfortunately I’ve suffered from injuries in my career, and now transferring to a new school, but it’s all about my journey,” Leary said. “The truly great ones respond when your back’s against the wall, when there’s adversity. That’s what my story’s all about.”

Leary is looking to add another chapter to his football journey that hopefully leads to his name being called at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.