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What Are NFL Scouts and Insiders Saying About Will Levis following Tennessee Loss?

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2 years ago

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UK Athletics

The easiest way to describe the game on Saturday in Knoxville is an all-systems failure.

All sides of the ball, including an atrocious special teams showing, were utterly embarrassing in the 44-6 loss. On the national scale, quarterback Will Levis will receive some heat – especially toward his draft stock – as a result of his 98-yard showing that included 0 TDs and 3 interceptions.

That begs the question, how badly did this game hurt Levis’ draft stock?

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One would be lying if they said it didn’t affect it, it very well did. Levis had many of his skills questioned, including his accuracy, real-time decision-making, and leading an offense in what was a big-time atmosphere.

With all of that being said, Will is still projected to be a first-round pick. As most Kentucky fans know, at one point he was as high as the #1 overall pick. Following his performances through the last few games, his stock has fluctuated and more questions are being asked.

Despite this, Levis continues to be tabbed as the third or fourth-best quarterback in this year’s class, behind CJ Stroud (Ohio State) and Bryce Young (Alabama). Given how the season has gone and each player’s performance, it’s fair for NFL front offices to put those two guys over Levis in leading a franchise.

What NFL Scouts Had To Say Following The Loss

Yet, there is some not-so-bad news.

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NFL scouts and insiders didn’t put the poor performance solely on Levis. Instead, they are saying that he is in a worst system than he was a season ago and putting some blame on the staff.

It’s hard to argue that especially when you look at this stat, showing that he isn’t getting the opportunities to throw it downfield.

However, Levis still has things to be held accountable for, and he recognized that in his post-game presser. He owned up to his mistakes regarding balls that shouldn’t have been thrown and plays that resulted in lost yards.

Being the third or fourth-best quarterback in the draft, (Hendon Hooker as the other QB floating at that QB3 spot) can mean a lot of things and it’s going to be interesting where he falls.

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Despite some poor play, it looks like Levis is getting the benefit of the doubt and still has some valuable NFL traits, including his size, arm, and intangibles. Given that, fans should expect him to still be atop the first round of this year’s draft, with ample amount of opportunity to rise in the remaining four games of the season.

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Kentucky Athletic Collectives Rank 11th of 16 Teams in SEC, Bring in over $11 Million

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2 weeks ago

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December 10, 2024

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Kentucky ranks 11th of 16 SEC teams in collective fundraising.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

For better or for worse of college sports, NIL is here to stay and it certainly gives an advantage to schools with more money. Just looking at the SEC alone, collectives raised more than $200 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Unfortunately, Kentucky is ranked in the lower half of that.

According to documents from the House v. NCAA proposed settlement, Kentucky raised $11,254,204 from athletics collectives for the 2023-24 fiscal year. That ranks 11th of the 15 public universities in the SEC and is just more than half of the top collective, Texas who raised over $22 million.

Full Rankings

Rank
School NameCollective Funding
1Texas22,272,474
2LSU20,137,141
3Georgia18,326,566
4Texas A&M17,228,714
5Alabama15,995,406
6Florida15,802,237
7Oklahoma14,817,595
8Tennessee11,602,164
9Auburn11,588,953
10Arkansas11,544,039
11Kentucky11,254,204
12S. Carolina9,554,700
13Ole Miss8,872,378
14Missouri7,146,859
15Mississippi St.6,467,166
NRVanderbiltNot Available (Private School)

While collective funding is low, Kentucky has been a top 20 athletic program in total revenue, partly thanks to being a school that profits from its basketball program. Looking ahead to 2025, Kentucky is expected to stay in the top 20 nationally in athletic revenue, fifth in the SEC by bringing in an estimated 131,139,792. Ahead of programs like Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Tennessee.

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With revenue sharing coming in the near future, even more money is going to be involved in roster and program building. Schools in the Big Ten and SEC have an even bigger advantage due to their new TV deals, giving them up to an extra $70 million or more.

A new era of college sports is here. It’s time to prepare and embrace it.

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Kentucky Wide Receiver Calls for “A Lot” More Leadership and Accountability from Staff

Published

3 weeks ago

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December 2, 2024

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks onto the field before the game against the Louisville Cardinals.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

A poor offensive line. Inconsistent quarterback play. A lot of things led to Kentucky football’s abysmal 2024 season. However, they had the talent to finish better than 4-8, only defeating one power opponent this season. So what could have helped?

Kentucky wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin was asked that question after the Wildcats’ loss to Louisville on Saturday. To his credit, he answered honestly and professionally.

“A lot more leadership,” Maclin said. “Holding guys accountable for things. A lot more discipline for all the guys… All around, players and coaches. We’re still a team, I don’t want to point at any one person or specific group. All around we need better leadership.”

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Maclin is a junior and could return for another season. Despite talking about Kentucky taking the next step, he has not made his decision and will be returning home to talk to his family to do so. If Maclin does return, it sounds like Kentucky will have a leader in the receiving room.

Despite being a 1,000-yard receiver at North Texas, Maclin was not targeted often. However, on his 13 receptions, he caught four for touchdowns, the most of any receiver on the team.

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Kentucky Player Seen At Concession Stand During Kentucky’s 41-14 Loss to Louisville

Published

3 weeks ago

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December 2, 2024

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A Kentucky football player was seen at buying food from the concession stand in Kentucky's 41-14 loss to Louisville.

Kentucky’s on-field product against Louisville was poor to say the least, sending 99% of Wildcat fans home early. It even sent an injured player from the sideline to get a snack…

Yes, offensive lineman Gerald Mincey, one of Kentucky’s most expensive transfer portal additions, was seen at one of the concession stands at Kroger Field during Kentucky’s 41-14 defeat.

Watching a 4-8 team is bad, but even worse to do on an empty stomach.

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Mincey is a senior and will not be returning next season, but it is nice to see him reinvesting some money back into the program.

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