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

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

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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.

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“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.

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

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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:

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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:

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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. 

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

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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:

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“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.”

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