Connect with us

Football

Former Kentucky QB Shows High Praise for Devin Leary, Says He Will Be the Best QB Under Stoops

Published

on

Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary points to the sky during practice.
Your Spots Edge/ Vicky Graff

On the August 16th edition of Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones brought on special guest Freddie Maggard to discuss the quarterback situation at UK. Considering that he is a former Kentucky quarterback and was the Director of Player Development under Stoops for a season, his comments do carry some weight.

Best QB of the Mark Stoops Era?

To open their discussion, Maggard talked about how good Devin Leary can be compared to other QBs in the Mark Stoops era.

“Two years ago, you asked Kash Daniel and I who was the best Mark Stoops quarterback. We both said Terry Wilson, even though Will Levis was on campus. I can now change that to Devin Leary. [Devin Leary] will be the best quarterback that Stoops will have coached at Kentucky.”

Advertisement

Maggard went on to justify why he thinks Leary could be better than Levis was at UK, saying, “Devin Leary is more experienced as a starting quarterback. Will Levis was not when he got here. Leary has thrown 64 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions. Levis threw 43 touchdowns to 23 interceptions.”

He added, “So, I see Devin Leary as more of a processor in the pocket. He is more experienced as a pure pocket quarterback, and I think that’s what Liam Coen wants to see. Operation in the pocket, that experience, break down a defense, and distribute the football to some exciting pass catchers, especially Barion Brown and Dane Key.”

Why Leary Can Be A Top-Tier SEC QB

Matt Jones asked Maggard if he agreed with the sentiment that Levis is a better runner and ‘deep ball thrower’, and that Leary is a better short-yardage passer with better accuracy.

Maggard responded, “I do, but I also give Leary more credit for the deep ball than others do because of timing. Matt, you go on campus or on the football facility, there’s 50 guys that can throw the football 50 yards. That’s not hard to do, especially if you do it your whole life. I think Leary, with the timing of those deep balls, will be just as good as Will.”

Advertisement

Part of why Maggard thinks Leary can be so successful at Kentucky is because of the talented receiving core around him.

“You got three receivers back (Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson). That’s over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. You have the tight ends. Jordan Dingle has not practiced yet, but if you include him in that group, that’s 37 catches and four touchdowns. That’s everything you need.”

Maggard also talked about how the depth in the backfield will benefit Leary.

“You don’t have Chris Rodriguez, you don’t have a Benny Snell, but you got the best collection of running backs that Stoops has had.”

Advertisement

So, if Leary has the potential to be the best QB in the Stoops era, where exactly could he be ranked compared to the other QBs in the SEC this season? Here’s what Maggard thinks:

“There’s gonna be quarterbacks that throw more yards, more touchdowns, and more accolades because of scheme and system. As far as efficiency of what I would look for in a quarterback, I wouldn’t take any signal caller in the conference over Devin Leary.”


Devin Leary has a lot of potential to be great this season. He has the chance to be one of the UK all-time greats, according to Freddie Maggard. Considering Kentucky went 10-3 in 2021 with Will Levis taking snaps, one has to wonder how good Kentucky football can be this fall, thanks in part to the NC State transfer.

Advertisement

Football

Louisville Football Player Charged With First-Degree Strangulation, Days After Committing Game Losing Personal Foul

Published

on

Louisville Cardinals defensive back Tayon Holloway (20) reacts to his defensive play.
Eric Canha | Imagn

On Monday, Louisville football defensive back Tayon Holloway was detained and charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault.

This comes just days after the former four-star prospect committed a costly personal foul to put a 2-7 Stanford team in field goal range and upset Louosillve 38-35 with a walk-off field goal.

As expected, Holloway has been indefinitely suspended from the team.

Advertisement

“The University of Louisville is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway,” the university said in a statement. “As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.”

Things Cardinals seem to be in a downward trend as the Commonwealth Cup nears, November 30th.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Kentucky snaps four game losing streak defeats Murray State 48-6

Published

on

Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talking to Murray State football coach Jody Wright.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Kentucky gets a much-needed victory over Murray St 48-6 to snap its four-game losing Streak. Brock Vandagriff led the way for the Cats, going 12-19 for 183 passing yards and two touchdown passes to Hardley Gilmore IV and Ja’Mori Maclin. 48 Points is the most points Kentucky has scored in a game since 2021 when the Cats scored 51 points against Louisville.

The defense held Murray St. without a touchdown. For the second time this season, Kentucky’s defense has held an opponent without a touchdown.

Freshman Standout today:

Advertisement

For the second time this season, Kentucky breaks the 40-point mark as three freshmen make impacts for Kentucky. Jamarion Wilcox had 13 carries and 124 yards with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV had two receptions for 72 yards and caught the 52-yard touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff on the game-opening drive.

Four-star quarterback Cutter Boley started the second half for the Cats, going 10-14 and passing for 130 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.

Defense Bounces Back:

Advertisement

After giving up over 475 yards of total offense each of the last three games, Kentucky’s defense holds Murray State to 256 total yards of offense while also having three takeaways from the Murray State offense

Defensive Lineman Tre’vonn Rybka led the way for the defense with five tackles and the only sack of the game for Kentucky’s defense. Jordan Lovett had two takeaways in the first half for Kentucky and one in the red zone in the second quarter. Jackson Schultz had the final takeaway, picking off Jim Ogle’s pass late in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

With the win today over Murray St., Kentucky moves to 4-6 (1-6 SEC) with two games remaining. They look to keep their bowl eligibility alive as they travel to Austin, Texas, and face the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns at 3:30 pm on ABC. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

Published

on

Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

Advertisement

“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending