Football

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

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2022

Holden Kettenring

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?

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.

Have heard this from a few scouts too. They think Levis had better system/support last year. “Hero ball” gets thrown around when discussing him. https://t.co/rCn28IMdfx— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 30, 2022

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.

Of Will Levis’s 16 completions last night only 5 of them were thrown beyond the line of scrimmage.

Of those 5 completions, just 2 were thrown at least 5 yards down the field (that includes one thrown 6 yards in the air).— Austin Burlage (@Austin__Burlage) October 30, 2022

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.

Related Topics:NFL Draft Tennessee Will Levis

Football

Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 10, 2025

Israel Schill

UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

Football

Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.

Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Football

Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

4 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Israel Schill

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.