Will Levis: Stallions and Areas of Improvement

Will Levis began his Kentucky career with a 10-win campaign, drawing the attention of a ton of new eyeballs this offseason.

NFL Draft circles are the most enlightened new group of Levis followers. We’ve seen some analysts project the Kentucky quarterback as high as No. 1 overall in next year’s draft. Strip away the grabby headlines and you’ll find high quality feedback from different corners of the internet. ESPN’s Jordan Reid provided his initial assessment of Levis, offering a few areas for the quarterback to improve this fall.

Penn State transfer. Well constructed and mobile passer that operates with a 3/4 release. Performs throws from all launch points. Displays comfort with turning his back on play-action fakes and resetting his eyes/base prior to executing concepts.

Decision making must improve (13 INTs last year). Lots of his issues stem from lower half inconsistencies, failure to feel pressure points, and an elongated internal clock. Mississippi St. and Mizzou games are littered with examples of these flaws, but UGA game had good moments.

Along with consistency, an area I want to see Levis improve is every time he escapes the pocket, he immediately turns into an overpowering runner. Once he learns to escape and keep his eyes up to search for reappearing targets, that’s another dimension he can add to his game.

Levis must become better with back hip rotation into his throws. A lot of times, he leaves his back foot in place and it results in him spraying/overthrowing his intended targets. New play-caller and perimeter weapons. Will be interesting to see how he progresses next season.

Jordan Reid | Twitter

Reid’s critiques aren’t news to the folks at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Rich Scangarello’s first order of business was working with Will’s feet. They did not reinvent the wheel. Coach Rich just tweaked a few footwork fundamentals to better synchronize the lower half of his body with his throwing motion. The key to Levis’ success this fall starts from the ground up.

Levis Discusses NIL Partnership with Claiborne Farms

Away from the field Levis has create a burgeoning business, using his name, image and likeness to sign a wide array of endorsement deals. His partnership with Claiborne Farms popped off the page, drawing attention from all corners of the internet. Levis endorsed the stallion War of Will, a graded stakes winner on turf and dirt, just as the horse’s first foals hit the market. Claiborne’s Walker Hancock was overwhelming pleased with the feedback he received from the advertising campaign.

“This one’s gone so well, I hope other farms will go down this avenue as well,” he told Thoroughbred Daily News. “It’s been a huge benefit for War of Will and the farm. It’s gotten a lot of great publicity and that’s the kind of stuff we need to push our industry forward and shine a better light on our sport.”

Levis, a northeast native, is admittedly new to the horse racing industry. A quick learner, he’s become a big fan.

“I still have a lot to learn. It’s a very surface level knowledge of the sport and the industry, but I’m going to keep dipping my feet in and learning as much about it because it’s so interesting. And there’s a lot of money in it too. If you want to make some money, that’s not the main reason behind it, but while I’m here, you can’t get this anywhere else. You gotta take advantage of it.”

I am not sure what he likes more, the money in his pocket or a race day at Keeneland.

“When you go out at Penn State, you can wear sweatpants or a sweatshirt to where ever,” said Levis. “Keeneland, you see all of the college students our there dressed to the nines, and I love it.”

Horse racing was just one unexpected perk from his move from Penn State. The other? Big Blue Nation.

“I didn’t think that anything would compare (to Happy Valley), until I got here.”