Leadership similarities between Devin Leary, Will Levis noticeable early on
Devin Leary has a tough job this fall.
The former NC State quarterback is at Kentucky now and is being tasked with replacing the production of second-round NFL Draft pick, Will Levis. Leary, who was the ACC Preseason Player of the Year just last summer, is also recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that forced him to sit out the back half of the 2022 season. He’s 100 percent healthy at this stage, but the pressure is certainly on with offensive coordinator Liam Coen back in the play-calling saddle.
Skill-wise, Leary and Levis are different quarterbacks. Leary is known to possess a more accurate arm while Levis impresses with overwhelming strength. Leary will dissect defenses from the pocket whereas Levis will bulldoze right through them. Regardless, both are high-level prospects — Levis’s stock already justified by a high draft pick. But beyond the on-field talent, they share one important similarity that is expressed by everyone around them: a natural embrace of leadership.
“They’re [Leary and Levis] both great leaders, they’re both great quarterbacks, so that’s what you need out of a good quarterback is being a good leader,” Redshirt fifth-year tight end Brenden Bates said following Saturday’s practice. “So I think they’re both similar in that aspect.”
While we’ve still yet to see Leary actually throw in a Kentucky jersey during a real game setting, fans can at least know what to expect from him when he’s not under center. He’s the person everyone else will look to for guidance. What Leary does will be followed by the rest of his teammates.
“Very natural (leader), not ‘rah, rah’. Not always out in front having to be the guy to speak and be that kind of person. But he leads by example,” Liam Coen said during Friday’s Media Day. “He leads by the way he approaches the game… That’s natural.”
“Devin is a very natural leader,” Head coach Mark Stoops also said on Friday. “He doesn’t overdo it. He still wants to work and take care of his own backyard. And ultimately, you know, finding his voice and finding that leadership role to whatever level it goes to. It’ll happen authentically in time.”
This isn’t the first time this offseason that headlines of Leary’s leadership have been crafted. He’s been praised by coaches and teammates alike ever since he stepped foot on campus, even while still recovering from his injury. Levis even gave him the stamp of approval back in the spring. Remember that Leary has only been fully healthy for a few months now.
“A lot of people talked about him and talked about how good he is, and he’s proving how good he is. What surprised me is how good of a leader he is, especially transferring in and coming to a new school with a bunch of different guys,” Bates added. “He’s already taken that leadership role and that’s probably the biggest thing that has surprised me so far.”
The talent is there, but having the backing of your teammates (especially the ones protecting you from pass-rushing linemen) is just as critical to being successful as a quarterback. Leary is showing he can check that box, as well.
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