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?
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.
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.
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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