Will Levis tells Vol fans to "stay on that hill" if they don't like that he's a Wildcat

Will Levis may be the future of the two-tone blue franchise in Tennessee, but he still bleeds Kentucky blue. Last Sunday, the former Wildcat showed up to work in Houston wearing a University of Kentucky hat before his ninth career start for the Titans.

Repping @UKFootball 👀 pic.twitter.com/8sWS1BEwOZ

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 31, 2023

On Wednesday, Levis again flashed his college colors when discussing the importance of rivalry games, saying the rivalries of the Southeastern Conference are a different beast than the rivalries of the AFC South.

“I’d say fans are maybe nicer (in the NFL) than in college,” Levis told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference. “In the SEC especially, everyone is deep rooted in their faith with their team. If you’re not with them, you’re against them. There’s definitely some teams that had, I’d say, stronger words or opinions.”

Noting the obvious, Levis then joked with the Tennessee-based reporters, “I know you guys are wanting me to say one.” Over the laughter, he added, “I can’t say anything about them. They got the best of me in my two years (at Kentucky).”

#Titans Will Levis on AFC South rivalries and comparing NFL rivalry to the SEC.

Alludes to his rivalry with the Vols in college. pic.twitter.com/GqF66AWs19

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) January 3, 2024

In the same conversation, he would eventually call the Vols by name, discussing the dynamic of a Kentucky QB taking over Tennessee’s pro team and how a small segment of Vols/Titans fans are still hesitant to accept him. To anyone who can’t get past his alma mater due to the border rivalry, Levis said, “You gotta respect it. If you’re a Vol fan and you don’t like me simply because you’re a Vol fan, you better stay on that hill. Don’t change, don’t switch up now.

“But I’m open to all fans of the Titans with open arms, and, hopefully, at least since I’ve been drafted, I’ve been able to change some people’s opinions.”

#Titans QB @will_levis said he respects @Vol_Football fans even if they don’t like him. pic.twitter.com/jNa8J0R6w2

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 3, 2024

Since his second-round fall in the draft, back when many Tennessee fans didn’t want him, Levis has claimed the starting job in Nashville, won a Monday Night Football game on the road, and thrown eight touchdowns for a team that didn’t know how to throw touchdowns, all while playing behind an offensive line made of feathers. (He’s hurt again, by the way.) Most Titans fans love Levis by now and accept him as the franchise QB of the future. To those who don’t because they wear orange and sing Rocky Top, Levis said it best: don’t switch it up as he becomes the face of the state’s NFL team.

Go Levis for saying it, and Go Cats.