Will Levis named 2022-23 Division 1 Football Academic All-American of the Year

Will Levis will be remembered at Kentucky for his play on the field, but it’s also worth mentioning his excellence in the classroom. Levis was named the Academic All-American of the Year in Division I football for the 2022-23 school year by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) organization. That means he was the top student-athlete among all NCAA Division I football players last season. Levis graduated from UK’s Gatton School of Business and Economics in December 2022 with a master’s degree in finance.

To qualify for Academic All-America, a student-athlete must have a career grade-point average of at least 3.5, be a sophomore or higher in academic and athletic standing, and be a starter or important reserve for his or her team. Each qualifying athlete is automatically named to the Academic All-District team and goes on the national ballot for the sport. Voting is conducted by the CSC (formerly the College Sports Information Directors of America) membership.

In all, 12 Kentucky student-athletes were named to the official Academic All-America teams, which ties for fourth in the nation among the 363 Division I schools and breaks the school record of 10 set in the 2020-21 school year. Nine earned first-team designation (including Levis), one was second-team and two more were third-team. 

Here is the complete list (first team unless otherwise noted):

• Caitlin Brooks, women’s swimming and diving
• Eric Coffel, softball (third team)
• Ben Damge, men’s soccer
• Laney Frye, women’s golf
• Izzy Gati, women’s swimming and diving
• Luis Grassow, men’s soccer
• Jackson Gray, baseball (second team)
• Kayla Kowalik, softball
• Will Levis, football (Academic All-American of the Year for football)
• Lauren Poole, women’s swimming and diving
• Anna Havens Rice, women’s swimming and diving (third team)
• Josh Sobota, men’s track and field

Kentucky has now had 143 Academic All-Americans, which ranks 18th all-time in Division I. Since 2000, the school has produced 106 Academic All-Americans, which with tenth among Division I institutions during that time period. Not too bad.

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Will Levis has ups and downs in preseason debut

Levis made his preseason debut with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, alternating series with Malik Willis, with whom he’s competing for the backup quarterback spot. Levis had good moments and bad in the 23-17 loss to the Chicago Bears, going 9-for-14 overall for 85 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. That pick came on his last throw of the day following a miss on what would have been the game-winning touchdown. Willis, a second-year quarterback out of Liberty, completed 16-of-25 passes for 189 yards and an interception. He also rushed for a touchdown and 22 yards on three carries.

Unfortunately, some Titans fans (mainly those who also root for the Tennessee Volunteers) pounced on Levis’ errors, but the rookie made some good plays too. He opened the second quarter with a 21-yard dart to Mason Kinsey on 2nd and 10, and later in the quarter, connected with Racey McMath on another 21-yard pass to convert on 3rd and 13. Tennessee’s backup offensive line didn’t do either Levis or Willis any favors, allowing eight sacks total, but Levis must improve his pocket awareness moving forward.

Levis will get his next opportunity Saturday night as the Titans play the Minnesota Vikings at 8 p.m. in Minneapolis.