Kentucky’s Will Levis to skip bowl game, enter NFL Draft

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will declare for the NFL Draft and will not play in Kentucky’s bowl game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Music City Bowl. 

Levis is the fourth-highest-rated prospect on the board of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and the second-highest quarterback on his list. 

Last week, Levis declared his intentions to enter the draft but left the door open for playing in Kentucky’s bowl game.  

“Because of Kentucky, I found belief and confidence in myself that had not been reached beforehand, and, most importantly, we won some incredibly memorable ball games in my college career,” Levis said in a statement posted to Twitter on Wednesday. “It has been a great move forward. 

PURDUE’S JEFF BROHM FINALIZING DEAL TO BECOME NEXT HEAD COACH AT LOUISVILLE: REPORTS

“With that in mind, after much thought, I have decided to forego my final college football game, look to that next step, and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Levis could have applied for a sixth season due to the NCAA waiver enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic season of 2020. 

FORMER COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH ‘ASKING FOR YOUR PRAYERS’ AS PARKINSON’S TREATMENT BEGINS

Levis began his career at Penn State before transferring to Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to a 10-3 record in 2021. 

He threw for 2,826 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 2021 before returning for a fifth season. He also added nine touchdowns on the ground. 

The Wildcats began the 2022 season 4-0 and ranked No. 7 in the country before losing to Ole Miss in Week 5, and ended the year at 7-5.  

Levis finished the 2022 season with 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He battled injuries throughout the season, missing the game against South Carolina with a turf toe injury. 

Levis is ranked ahead of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young but behind Ohio State QB CJ Stroud on Kiper’s board.