Kentucky's Will Levis 'the Most Pro Ready' QB in 2023 NFL Draft Class, NFL GM Says

At least one NFL general manager believes Kentucky's Will Levis is better prepared than any other quarterback to contribute as a rookie in 2023.

According to Jeff Howe and Dane Brugler of The Athletic, an anonymous GM said the following about Levis: "Skill set-wise, Levis is the most pro-ready. I think we have to figure out, what does he really know? How much can he comprehend and manage the offense?"

Along with Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Levis is one of at least three quarterbacks expected to be taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Levis is a senior who is in the midst of his second season with the Wildcats after playing sparingly in two seasons at Penn State in 2019 and 2020.

An anonymous NFL executive loves what they have seen out of Levis since he transferred to Kentucky, noting that he has adapted well to the pro-style system, per Howe and Brugler:

"Will has continued to show that he can play in the pro-style offensive system after making the transition from Penn State. For him, it would be consistently watching his ability to make plays from the pocket and continue to work through his progressions. He's a big, strong dude who is athletic, can run the ball and lower his shoulder. It's transcending more into the NFL game now with the quarterbacks that you see."

Last year marked Levis' first extended look as a starter at the college level, and he performed well, going 10-3 for a team that finished the season ranked 18th in the nation. He also completed 66.0 percent of his passes for 2,826 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while rushing for 376 yards and nine scores.

Levis has improved as a passer for the 4-1 Wildcats so far this season, completing 68.8 percent of his throws for 1,405 yards, 12 touchdowns and four picks. He has rushed for two touchdowns as well.

The 6'3", 222-pound signal-caller threw for 300 or more yards in three of his first four games this season. That number fell to 220 in a 22-19 loss to Ole Miss last week, but he threw a pair of touchdown passes and was not picked off.

Ball security is one of the biggest aspects of his game that Levis will be tasked with improving between now and the draft, as is his overall consistency.

In terms of his size and tools, Levis does seem to have a leg up on Young and Stroud, although Young and Stroud have put up bigger numbers and enjoyed more team success since becoming starters last season.

Regardless of how teams rank them, the 2023 quarterback class is lining up to be far more highly touted than the 2022 class, which saw Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett become the only first-round quarterback to the Pittsburgh Steelers.