Devin Leary named SEC's No. 1 transfer; Ray Davis top 10

Kentucky has two top-10 transfers in the SEC going into the 2023 college football season, including QB1 at No. 1.

Saturday Down South ranked the top 25 transfers in the SEC, regardless of position, and UK’s own Devin Leary is at the very top of the list. And just seven spots later, Ray Davis joins his teammate at No. 8 overall — good for No. 2 among running backs.

Leary earned the No. 1 spot over the likes of Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (Missouri), LSU defensive end Ovie Oghoufo (Notre Dame), Ole Miss wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (UT-San Antonio), LSU running back Logan Diggs (Notre Dame), LSU linebacker Omar Speights (Oregon State) and South Carolina tight end Trey Knox (Arkansas).

Davis then tops Auburn running back Brian Battie (USF) and LSU cornerback Denver Harris (Texas A&M) to round out the top 10.

LSU (4) is the only school with more incoming transfers than Kentucky (2) inside the top 10.

What does Saturday Down South have to say about Leary and Davis? Take a look:

1. Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

A former All-ACC quarterback and 2022 preseason ACC Player of the Year, Leary transferred to Kentucky after an injury short-circuited his final campaign in Raleigh. He’ll look to recapture the magic of the 2021 season, when he threw for 3,433 yards and program-record 35 touchdowns against a measly 5 interceptions, leading NC State to 9 wins, including a thrilling victory over Clemson where Leary passed for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Leary’s touch is NFL-ready, and his accuracy, showcased by a career accuracy of 60%, is remarkable when you consider he’s never had an offensive line grade out among the top 50 in college football, per PFF. If Kentucky blocks for him, the ceiling is special. Even if the Kentucky offensive line is again hit-or-miss, Leary is used to that, and his history suggests his production will exceed that of Will Levis, who despite his tremendous arm talent was too careless with the football in 2022 tossing 10 interceptions. Leary has never thrown more than 5 picks in a single season, and his high football IQ, coupled with an improved Kentucky run game, could make the Wildcats a surprise in the SEC East.

…

8. Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky

A super senior transfer, Davis broke the 1,000 yard barrier a season ago at Vanderbilt, with 1,042 yards for a vastly improved Commodores team. Davis also caught 29 passes, including 5 in games against bowl teams Tennessee and Wake Forest. A powerful runner with getaway speed on the second level, Davis should carry the load for the Wildcats’ run game, which hopes to recapture the magic of the Big Blue Wall seasons’ past, which backs like Chris Rodriguez and Benny Snell have parlayed into NFL roster spots.

Just outside the top 10? Former friend of the Kentucky football program Justin Rogers, who transferred to Auburn this offseason.

“A top-100 recruit out of high school, Auburn hopes that Rogers was just beginning to figure out how good he can be last season, as he’ll anchor a 3-man defensive line full of upperclassmen,” SDS says of the former Wildcat.

Check out the complete top 25 here.