Kentucky Wildcats Defend Will Levis ahead of NFL Draft

Will Levis has been under a microscope throughout the NFL Draft process. Every single move receives scrutiny. Most prospects try to add muscle during the pre-Draft process. When Levis shared images of his body transformation, instead of being praised, he was chastised for being a meathead.

Nearly two weeks away from Levis’ life-changing night in Kansas City, those who know the Kentucky quarterback best responded to his harshest critics. That cockiness is off-putting to some from afar, but not to his teammates in Lexington.

“That’s just Will,” Wan’Dale Robinson shared with Jordan Schultz of The Score. “Once you get to know him, you realize he’s a really caring dude. Nothing that he says ever comes from a bad place. At the end of the day, he just wants to be the best. I loved playing with him. Loved having him as my quarterback.”

Robinson broke schools records during his one season with Will Levis at Kentucky. In 2021 the Giants’ wide receiver caught 104 passes for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns from Levis. When the quarterback was off his game, nobody worked harder to correct it.

“I don’t think everybody really got to see the true him,” said Robinson. “They didn’t see the best version of him. He got smarter. Anytime he makes a mistake, he’s trying to do it 10 times better. He wanted to be perfect.”

Will Levis Accuracy Issues are Misguided

Will Levis jumped onto the radar of NFL scouts when he showed off his rocket arm while throwing to Wan’Dale Robinson at last year’s Kentucky Pro Day. Not only does he have the big arm, he has the size and athleticism desired by NFL front offices.

The knock on Levis has often been his accuracy. What if I told you only one Kentucky quarterback has ever had a higher completion percentage than Levis? That guy was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, Tim Couch.

As Liam Coen readily acknowledges, Levis is far from a polished passer. There are some throws he must work on, but Kentucky’s offensive coordinator believes he has the work ethic to harness has greatest strength, that rocket right arm.

“Remember in the movie ‘Rookie of the Year’ when Henry Rowengartner’s arm was so sped up? Will almost felt like his arm was so explosive, he needed to slow down in order to throw a ball with touch,” Coen told The Score. “He’s worked on that and learned that it’s not anything about slowing your arm down, but when the ball’s leaving your hand, it’s just having a little touch on it. He’s getting better at it.”

People forget that Henry Rowengartner helped the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908. Will Levis is not flawless, but his former teammates believe he has what it takes to lead his next team to the promised land.

[The Score: Will Levis has proven himself before. Can he do it again?]