
<p>Back in May when <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/will-levis-120894/">Will Levis</a> began garnering buzz as a top-ten 2023 NFL Draft pick, <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/will-levis-kentucky-mark-stoops-no-1-quarterback-2023-nfl-draft/">Mark Stoops came on KSR and made a bold prediction</a>: Levis will be the first quarterback drafted. Ahead of <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/">Alabama</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bryce-young-15984/">Bryce Young</a>, ahead of <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/ohio-state-buckeyes/">Ohio State</a>‘s <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cj-stroud-23666/">CJ Stroud</a>. A month later, Stoops is doubling down.</p>



<p>“I’m going to go on record and say I think I was the first person to say that I believe I think Will can be the first overall pick — I said first quarterback but if you’re the first quarterback picked, you’re going to [go high],” Stoops told KSR at the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation Golf Scramble this morning. “I believe in him, I see his talent every day. I stand behind him sometimes during warm-ups and practice every day and it’s like you’re at Christmas when you’re a kid and you have to pinch yourself sometimes. And I’m sitting there watching him and I’m amazed at the way he throws the ball. The velocity. The confidence that he’s gaining since last season.”</p>



<p>In his first season at Kentucky after transferring from Penn State, Levis threw for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns, while rushing for nine more. He completed 66.0% of his passes to finish with an overall passer rating of 148.3. Those are impressive numbers, but first-quarterback-drafted worthy? When asked why Levis is turning so many heads at the pro level, Stoops compared him to another former Kentucky quarterback: Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.</p>



<p>“He has all the physical tools,” Stoops said of Levis. “He’s a big, strong guy. The other day, he was out there and Tim happened to be out there, Tim Couch. And we all know how big Tim is. He was the No. 1 overall pick. That’s what they look like. He’s a big, strong quarterback. He’s got all the physical tools. He can run. He can handle a 17-game season, he’s so big and strong. The velocity he throws the ball with. He’s getting more accurate, he’s cleaning up his footwork, he’s doing all the things necessary. But just the talent alone, it jumps out at you, the way he can throw the football.”</p>



<h2 id="h-he-s-constantly-trying-to-be-the-best">“He’s constantly trying to be the best”</h2>



<p>All this praise could easily go to a player’s head. So far, Stoops said he’s not worried about that with Levis.</p>



<p>“I really don’t think it’s a problem with a guy like Will. To this point, he has shown no signs of that. He’s very driven. He’s competitive within himself. And he’s constantly trying to be the best.”</p>



<p>The best part about having a guy like Levis as your leader? He drags others with him. That’s just one reason why Stoops is so excited about this season.</p>



<p>“We have great leadership, starting with a guy like Will. Will really always attacks every day like that, like he has something to prove. He’s constantly trying to get better, and that’s a great starting point for us as a program, just to be hungry.”</p>



<p>Seventy-eight days until the season opener vs. Miami (OH). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<span class="XqLTtk30g9NFbchxHzelR8IJjZsP6"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Mark Stoops on Kentucky's offseason hype, Will Levis, SEC Scheduling | KSR (June 17, 2022)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BiD0g7wU66Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
</div></figure>


KSR Football

Mark Stoops doubles down on Will Levis NFL Draft prediction

KSR will broadcast live from everyone's respective homes today. The crew is snowed in, much like the rest of the state, so they're working from home

ksr-show-thread

KSR Show, 1/26: Live from home to recap UK-Ole Miss and Meteorologist Madness

Good morning, Big Blue Nation. I hope everyone is safe out there and staying home out of the elements. The weekend may not have brought the

Jo Ann Ford, 65, digs out her minivan on 35th Street in Louisville, Kentucky after the multi-state Winter Storm Fern dropped several inches of snow in the metro area Sunday, January 25, 2026.  (Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)


kentucky-jacket-snow-shovel

KSR Basketball

KSR Today: Snow Day in the Bluegrass, SEC Road Swing Ahead

If I were to tell you that Kentucky ranks 4th in the entire country in an offensive category, you might think me mad and ripe for the loony house. I

Texas vs Kentucky on 1/21/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Kentucky continues to dominate opponents in fast-break scoring

Kentucky's 72-63 win over Ole Miss wasn't pretty. In fact, it was quite the opposite. That first half was especially hard to watch, even if Mark Pope

Mississippi vs Kentucky on 1/24/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

collin-chandler-ole-miss

Kentucky is getting good at finishing close games

"If you're not willing to risk your life to watch the Cats play, are you even a fan?" That's how Steven Peake began his quest from Louisville to

Kentucky vs Ole Miss, KSR Road Trip

Go Inside Rupp Arena During the Snow Day Kentucky Win over Ole Miss

End-of-the-year NBA awards almost always feature a former Kentucky Wildcat, and this season will likely be no different. While Shai

keldon-johnson-reed-sheppard-among-favorites-to-win-nba-6th-man-of-the-year-award

KSR Cats in the NBA

Keldon Johnson and Reed Sheppard among favorites to win NBA 6th Man of the Year

You never know when they're coming, but Jasper Johnson's red-hot scoring runs always come at the most convenient times for Kentucky and bring the

619664047_1411353287703252_1503212348487792278_n

Otega Oweh is proud of his 'son' Jasper Johnson: 'He could do that with his eyes closed.'

For nearly a decade, there was a constant in the Kentucky football program: quality linebacker play. The Wildcats needed to re-establish that

ut_vs_arkansas-2915_barnes

Kentucky has Talented, Inexperienced Linebacker Group

Kentucky and Ole Miss engaged in a slobber-knocker on Saturday. The early tip-time may have helped set the tone early, yet the Cats still did enough

Kentucky SG Otega Oweh defends against Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, via Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Is this the worst call in the history of college basketball?

Sometimes you have to win ugly. Saturday's basketball game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Ole Miss Rebels won't win any awards. Neither team shot

film-room-breakdown-kentucky-grinds-out-a-72-63-win-over-the-ole-miss-rebels

Film Room Breakdown: Kentucky Grinds Out a 72-63 Win Over the Ole Miss Rebels

The Boston Celtics did not have high expectations entering this season. Jayson Tatum was recovering from an Achilles injury and new ownership shed

Jan 23, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in double overtime at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Amari Williams saves Boston Celtics in overtime road win

The Kentucky Wildcats had two orders of business today: defeat Ole Miss to extend their winning streak to five games, then get home and ride out the

texas-377161

KSR's top takeaways from Kentucky's Snowmageddon win over Ole Miss

Like jumping into a pool off the high-dive, Deone Walker made a big splash during his first season of professional football.   The former Kentucky

Former Cat Deone Walker stalks Joe Burrow in the Buffalo snow, via Sam Greene:The Enquirer : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Wildcat Deone Walker Earns All-Rookie Honors

Kentucky has high expectations entering the 2026 college baseball season. The Bat Cats are fresh off three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances

Nick-Mingione-reflects-whether-2025-has-been-rebuilding-year

KSR Baseball

Nick Mingione has 'team that loves Kentucky' in 2026

To say this has been an interesting offseason for the Governor's Cup rivalry would be putting it lightly. Multiple players and staff members have

L's down

KSR Football Recruiting

Kentucky target Braylon Lane is embracing the Governor's Cup rivalry

The biggest story in college basketball this week surrounded G League veteran Charles Bediako returning to Alabama after being granted a temporary

Jan 24, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama center Charles Bediako (14) reaches out to grab a rebound against Tennessee forward Dewayne Brown II (6) at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

KSR Around the SEC

Tennessee trolls Charles Bediako with social media post after beating Alabama

Saturday was scheduled to be the second big junior day recruiting even for Will Stein's Kentucky football program. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had

Jamar Thompson

Top-100 recruit Jamar Thompson visits Kentucky

The last Sunday in January has arrived. A huge winter storm is hitting the Bluegrass that everyone across the state is riding out. Before that storm

texas-377341

KSR Today: Kentucky's winning streak continues as SEC race opens up

As things stand through seven SEC contests with 11 more to go in the regular season, Kentucky is on pace to earn a double bye in Nashville -- wild,

A Wilson Evo NXT ball at the SEC Tournament - Photo by Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky is tied for second in the SEC following a wild night of results in the league

When Teonni Key went down with a dislocated right elbow against Missouri on Jan. 4, it was immediately clear that she would be out for multiple weeks

signs-currently-pointing-teonni-key-making-return-sooner-rather-later

KSR Women's Basketball

Kenny Brooks says 'there is optimism' regarding Teonni Key's recovery process

Kentucky's offensive performance against Ole Miss was far from pretty, but there won't be many complaints about the Wildcats' efforts on the

Mo Dioubate defending an Ole Miss player - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky's defense forced Ole Miss into one of its worst offensive performances of the season

We've talked and written about Rick Pitino more positively over the last two years than I ever thought was possible sitting where we all sat in 2017

Mont StJ Headers-8

Rick Pitino wins 900th career game -- but 'he'd have a lot more if he had stayed at Kentucky'

Points were hard to come by for Kentucky in the first half against Ole Miss. But freshman guard Jasper Johnson went on a run midway through the half

Jasper Johnson - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Jasper Johnson's solo first-half run gave Kentucky a lead it would not give back

Travis Perry's Kentucky homecoming did not go his way. When the former Wildcat played the game out in his head in the days leading up to it, he

texas-376058

The Travis Perry return game that never got going

This Kentucky team may not look how we thought it would before the season, both in personnel due to injuries, and playing style, but the Cats keep

mark-pope-kentucky-ole-miss-identity-winning-plays

Mark Stoops doubles down on Will Levis NFL Draft prediction

Discuss This Article

Kentucky continues to dominate opponents in fast-break scoring

Kentucky is getting good at finishing close games

Go Inside Rupp Arena During the Snow Day Kentucky Win over Ole Miss

Keldon Johnson and Reed Sheppard among favorites to win NBA 6th Man of the Year

Otega Oweh is proud of his 'son' Jasper Johnson: 'He could do that with his eyes closed.'

Kentucky has Talented, Inexperienced Linebacker Group

Is this the worst call in the history of college basketball?

Film Room Breakdown: Kentucky Grinds Out a 72-63 Win Over the Ole Miss Rebels

UK 72, Ole Miss 63

SEC standings

Collin Chandler

Close Games

'They just tased Ryan'