Former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis had a tumultuous start at the 2023 NFL Draft, as he waited anxiously in the green room for his name to be called. Despite once being projected as the first overall pick, Levis fell outside the first round (CBS Sports). However, he is still a highly-sought-after prospect, with potential landing spots on Day 2 including the Detroit Lions at No. 34 (PFF), the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 32 (Bleacher Report), and potentially the Las Vegas Raiders in Round 2 (Raiders Wire).
Levis played through turf toe for much of his final collegiate season, but still managed to earn a 90.6 overall grade when healthy (PFF). This impressive feat caught the eye of many NFL teams, leading to some trade interest in the Steelers’ No. 32 pick (New York Post). Levis’ odds of going first overall even rose after an anonymous post on social media (ESPN).
Despite the disappointment of not being chosen in the first round, Levis has received support from fellow football players. New York Jets star Sauce Gardner tweeted a positive message to Levis after the first night of the draft, where he saw three quarterbacks get chosen ahead of him (Fox News).
Levis’ wait for his name to be called on draft day may have been longer than expected, but his talent and potential have not gone unnoticed. As teams gear up for Day 2 of the draft, Levis’ future in the NFL remains bright.