Tag: Will Levis

Former Penn State QB wins starting job at new program

Best of luck to former Penn State quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson, who will be the starting QB for UConn.

There will be two former Penn State quarterbacks starting the season as QB1 with another program this fall. [autotag]Will Levis[/autotag] took the SEC and Kentucky by storm last season after being anointed the starting quarterback for the Wildcats last season, and he is now a trendy pick to be among the first quarterbacks chosen in the 2023 NFL draft. It may be premature to suggest the fortunes will smile upon [autotag]Ta’Quan Roberson[/autotag] the same way at UConn, but a fresh start may have paid off for the former Penn State backup.

Roberson, as expected, has been tabbed as the starting quarterback for the UConn Huskies, who begin their 2022 season on Saturday at Utah State. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported the quarterback news on Saturday morning, hours before UConn was set to kickoff against the defending Mountain West Conference champions. Roberson will be the first starting quarterback for new UConn head coach Jim Mora, and there is still some good potential to be utilized for the Huskies program.

Roberson was used in limited action during his short stay at Penn State. He appeared in four games for the Nittany Lions last season, most notably in place of an injured Sean Clifford in a road loss at Iowa. Roberson was in a tough spot against the Hawkeyes and did not perform well enough to help Penn State hold off Iowa in the first loss of the 2021 season.

When Clifford was forced out of a game later in the season against Rutgers, it was Christian Veilleux who took the field in place of Roberson. The writing appeared to be on the wall at that point, and Roberson entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2021 season.

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Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel needs good season to cement NFL Draft stock

While the Sooners transfer QB has looked good in his three years at UCF, Dillon Gabriel needs one last great season to cement his NFL Draft stock.

The headliners of the 2023 quarterback draft class are Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. Florida’s Anthony Richardson, Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke and Kentucky’s Will Levis are also looking to go early next year.

In any case, the 2023 crop of QBs is looking much stronger than 2022’s, which saw only one QB get selected in the first round: Pitt’s Kenny Pickett.

Jeff Lebby saw Dillon Gabriel in the transfer portal and simply had to have him back in his offense once it was clear that Caleb Williams was on the move. Lebby was Gabriel’s offensive coordinator in 2019 before joining Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.

After playing only three games in 2021 due to a broken collarbone and entering the transfer portal, Gabriel was given a rare opportuinity to join a blue blood program to run an offense that he already knows. Coming to Norman was a no-brianer.

Though an experienced quarterback, Gabriel isn’t a highly-rated draft prospect with the 2022 season around the corner. NFLDraftBuzz.com has him projected as a UDFA.

Improving your draft stock this late in the game is hard. It’s already a crowded class and the QBs rated ahead of Gabriel have more “NFL-type” bodies. At 5-11 and 204 lbs, Gabriel is about the same size as Bryce Young. Young, however, is more talented and has the better arm.

There is more to being a QB than physical traits. Gabriel has already asserted himself as the leader of the Sooners in the short time he’s been in Norman, and that is something NFL GMs look at.

He can make all the throws and is mobile in the pocket. He’s not exactly a rushing threat, but he’s not simply a pure pocket-passer.

If he plays like the best QB in the Big 12 in 2022, the NFL will start paying closer attention to Dillon Gabriel. There’s nothing stopping him from doing just that. If he stays healthy, Gabriel will do big things in a Sooners uniform.

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The Draft Network: Giants should already be eyeing Will Levis

The Draft Network believes the New York Giants should already be looking ahead to 2023 and keeping a close eye on Kentucky QB Will Levis.

The hate train for New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones continues to roll on.

After two underwhelming seasons in a broken offense and surrounded by lacking personnel, many are ready to cancel Jones like a modern comic who said something that hurt their feelings. And there appears to be no wavering in that.

Jones struggled during the Giants’ acclimation period in training camp and that was all some needed to see. A new coaching staff? Doesn’t matter. Learning a new system? Who cares. Trying to build a rapport with new players? Little more than an excuse.

For those reasons, Jack McKessy of The Draft Network believes the Giants should be focusing on the 2023 NFL draft and keeping a close eye on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.

But early word out of training camp suggests that Jones is not off to a good start in that regard. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that “it’s no stretch” to say that backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a shot at winning the starting job over Jones. Jones’ slow start to camp has also brought extra attention to the rumors that the Giants are potential trade partners with the 49ers for veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Can anyone spot the errors?

The Giants are not interested in trading for Garoppolo despite the made-up rumors, and Taylor was brought in to be a backup. His zero first-team snaps would seem to support that.

But with that having been said, McKessy is correct about one thing: the Giants should be keeping an eye on Levis and every other potential first-round prospect. That’s just a good way of doing business.

From a traits standpoint, Levis stands above both (Bryce) Young and (C.J.) Stroud in several aspects (and literally, in terms of height). Young is more poised and better at processing what’s in front of him and progressing through reads. Stroud has better touch. But in most other categories, it’s the Kentucky quarterback who has the edge.

Levis has a bigger frame with tons of athleticism and mechanics that are both clean and deliberate. Where Stroud has some issues with footwork in the pocket and Young can have trouble seeing over his linemen thanks to his smaller frame, Levis has no such issues. He’s got pristine footwork off of the mesh in play-action and in standard dropbacks, all followed up with a quick release that’s complemented by his impressive arm strength to make great throws. Delayed throws due to hitching or poor timing on Levis’ part are rare. More likely than not, if a play broke down for Kentucky’s offense last year it was because of bad blocking up front or a lack of talent outside of (current Giants receiver) Wan’Dale Robinson in the receiving corps.

Oh yeah, and Levis can run too. He’s not on the level of Lamar Jackson obviously, but Kentucky had success allowing Levis to use his legs on QB powers, options, and more. With his big frame and mobility, there’s no reason to think he can’t make the kinds of plays Justin Herbert or even Josh Allen do with their legs at the NFL level.

Ironically, this sounds a lot like a current Giants quarterback who goes by the name of Daniel Jones. At least for the most part.

And it’s interesting that Levis’ issues are explained away by blaming the offensive line and lacking personnel, but that same benefit has never been afforded to Jones.

The bottom line is that general manager Joe Schoen and the Giants should be evaluating all quarterback prospects this year. There’s a realistic chance they may end up drafting one next April. There’s also a chance declining Jones’ fifth-year option means nothing in the long run and he’s finally set free in an offensive system that’s built more around his talents.

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Kentucky’s Will Levis: Giants love Wan’Dale Robinson

Kentucky QB Will Levis, who has been a common mock to the New York Giants, says the team “loves” rookie WR Wan’Dale Robinson.

The New York Giants appear to have found a gem in rookie wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

Robinson, a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has become an instant favorite of the Giants’ staff after an impressive spring. Many think that he will already be WR3 over Darius Slayton (with Sterling Shepard recovering from injury).

Kentucky’s Will Levis, who was Robinson’s college quarterback, concurs.

“I talked to Wan’Dale recently and he’s doing well and he’s a dog. They love him over there. I think it’s going to be a pretty seamless transition for him at the NFL and I’m pumped to see what he can do,” Levis said, via 247Sports.

The Giants, a team that has struggled to put points on the board, would benefit greatly from a strong rookie production for Robinson. If the Kentucky alum can come in and lighten the load from Daniel Jones maybe the team can turn things around and compete for a playoff spot.

However, if this change does not happen, Levis himself is a candidate to be the next Giants quarterback. Many early mock drafts have the Giants picking the Kentucky quarterback in the top 10 of the 2023 NFL draft.

Levis broke out last year as he threw for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns against a tough SEC schedule. If he can continue this improvement he will surely find himself selected early and on an NFL roster come 2023.

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Was KJ Jefferson hosed out of an All-SEC selection?

The SEC is loaded with great quarterbacks. But KJ Jefferson deserved All-SEC honors.

KJ Jefferson had told his coach Sam Pittman at some point last year that he used the fact that one media outlet named him the 14th best quarterback in the SEC before the season began as motivation.

His 2021 season showed that was clearly wrong as he threw for more than 2,600 yards with 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Another 650-plus yards on the ground and six scores, plus leading the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record should have given the SEC’s assembled media some notice that Jefferson was for real.

But when the three preseason All-SEC teams were released from SEC Media Days on Friday, Jefferson was not among the quarterbacks selected.

Understandably, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was the first-teamer. Hendon Hooker, from Tennessee, who threw for 31 touchdowns and three picks last year was on the second-team. On the third, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Levis threw for 136 more yards than Jefferson last year but had 24 scores to 13 interceptions. He ran for almost 300 yards less than Jefferson, too.

Why the discrepancy, probably? Levis is largely considered a NFL first-round pick while Jefferson is, right now, a borderline draftee. Consider, too, that Kentucky is a dark horse for SEC East (defending national champion Georgia is an odds-on favorite, of course) and the Wildcats were the feel-good team of Media Days.

But if Jefferson used the snubs as motivation last year, he might just do it again in 2022 and lead the Razorbacks even farther than last year’s 9-4 record took them.

Why the 2023 NFL draft may be the year Texans target a quarterback

If the Houston Texans are going to take a quarterback to complete the rebuild, the 2023 NFL draft may be their best option to find the right guy.

General manager Nick Caserio has done a superb job thus far.

The Houston Texans found a couple gems in the 2021 NFL draft with third-round receiver Nico Collins and sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez. The 2022 class has the most promise with first-rounders cornerback Derek Stingley, guard Kenyon Green, second-round safety Jalen Pitre, third-round linebacker Christian Harris, and fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce.

If the Texans could land a quarterback of comparable potential, it would be the crown jewel for Caserio’s rebuild.

Second-year quarterback Davis Mills will get a fair shot in 2022 to show he can be the franchise quarterback of the Caserio era. However, the organization must guard against all outcomes, including those wherein Mills fails.

If Mills doesn’t appear to be the answer at quarterback, the Texans should look immediately to the 2023 NFL draft class; they can’t wait another draft, even though Houston will have another pair of first-rounders in 2024.

Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young will be battling for the No. 1 spot on draft boards throughout the upcoming college football season. Will Levis of Kentucky, Cam Ward from Washington State, Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson similarly will make their case as first-round quarterbacks. Throw in Devin Leary from North Carolina State and Jaren Hall from BYU, and there are also Day 2 prospects that could provide a spark for Houston’s passing game.

According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the 2023 draft class has plenty of quarterbacks that teams looking to address issues under center ought to consider making a move.

All of those quarterbacks have some level of wild-card potential, with tons of talent, but their own unique reasons to wonder whether or not they’ll be able to reach their lofty individual ceilings. Even so, it’s impossible to ignore that when they were at their best last season, they all looked like first-round material.

If your favorite NFL team needed a quarterback in the 2022 draft, but decided to punt on a fairly weak class and wait for this year’s group, it won’t be surprising if that turns out to be a wise move. Obviously, draft stock seems to change on a weekly basis (both in-season and out, and especially with quarterbacks), but there’s plenty to be excited about in this next crop of top passers.

Mills’ play will determine how invested the Texans are next draft cycle. If there are still doubts, the 2023 class has enough options to upgrade the position adequately during Caserio’s run.

Kelee Ringo the early Giants favorite in most 2023 mock drafts

Georgia CB Kelee Ringo has become one of the most popular early 2023 mocks to the New York Giants.

Mock draft season usually tappers off shortly after the event is held each April. Generally, you’ll see a quick rush of early mocks for the following year before draft chatter falls silent.

No more.

This year, mock draft season has kept on rolling and continues as NFL training camps loom. It’s a rather odd practice given that the college season hasn’t even started but what sells, sells.

For the New York Giants, most early 2023 mocks had them going with Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. However, that rapidly changed and suddenly quarterbacks began to fall of the radar. Instead, most mocks (fan and analyst) have the Giants taking a cornerback and more specifically, Kelee Ringo of Georgia.

In fact, Pro Football Network notes that Ringo has become the most popular mock to the Giants (more than 11% of all projections) on their draft simulator.

New York Giants: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (11.8%)

Looking at the New York Giants’ top-drafted player with the projected seventh overall pick, Georgia CB Kelee Ringo appears to be the fan favorite. With great range and terrific size, Ringo may usher in a new era of long cornerbacks with freakish speed to boot. He has great ball skills and could be a starter on a number of NFL defenses, especially the CB-needy Giants’ unit.

The Giants enter 2022 very thin at cornerback (at least on paper) and that is an area they’ll likely aim to improve a year from now. Still, if Daniel Jones does not step up his game, there’s no way New York can pass on a quarterback next April.

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2023 NFL draft QB class and the lessons of perspective

Thoughts on the 2023 NFL draft QB class and the lessons of perspective after 2022

Exactly one year ago I wrote an article about the potential of the 2022 NFL draft quarterback class. To say it doesn’t hold up well through the prism of time is an understatement.

It’s a stern rebuke of the “just wait for next year” philosophy regarding the draft and quarterbacks. At this point last year, the “next year” was the class of 2022 — one that turned out to be one of the worst in NFL history in terms of draft stock.

Last July the headliners were Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler. Howell went in the fifth round, No. 144 overall. Rattler lost his starting job at Oklahoma and fled to South Carolina. He’s nestled near the bottom of most preseason watch lists for the 2023 class, and it’s nearly always in the tone of the author feeling obliged to mention him on the off chance Rattler salvages any NFL hope.

Kenny Pickett was the last name I listed a year ago. The Pitt QB was the only signal-caller selected in the first two rounds in April. Pickett’s advanced age and tiny hands made him a divisive prospect too.

Most draft evaluators, myself included, soured quickly on the class. The NFL agreed. All the potential bantered about by folks who wanted nothing to do with Trey Lance, Justin Fields or Mac Jones in the 2021 draft wound up fizzling badly. Last year turned out quite a bit better than next year in draft terms in 2022.

There’s a lesson here, of course. One that’s not just for me as an analyst but for fans too:

Pay attention to the quarterbacks and lists for next year, but don’t buy fully into the hype or hope. The college football season will unequivocally alter the perceptions of the presumptive top QB prospects in both the fan and NFL eyes. C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Bryce Young and others have a lot of potential right now, but that doesn’t mean it will manifest into something the NFL covets in the next draft.

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Colts add new QB, CB in latest Draft Wire mock draft

In Draft Wire’s latest two-round mock, the Colts added a QB and a CB.

The Indianapolis Colts haven’t truly begun their scouting for the 2023 NFL draft, but it is expected to be a big one for the organization.

Our friends over at Draft Wire recently released a two-round mock draft, and the Colts wound up with a new quarterback and cornerback with their two selections.

Though the Colts have potential for three selections in the first two rounds, it’s difficult to project the conditional third-round pick turning into a second until we know more about Carson Wentz’s situation with the Washington Commanders.

Without further ado, here’s a look at the two players the Colts selected in Draft Wire’s latest mock:

Should Giants be watching Kentucky QB Will Levis?

Kentucky QB Will Levis named a prospect the Giants should watch.

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The New York Giants are riding with Daniel Jones at quarterback this season, a move that is being met with mixed reviews. Some analysts are predicting Jones will flourish under the new coaching staff and behind a rebuilt offensive line.

Other experts are panning the decision, citing Jones as just an average talent who won’t reach the next level regardless of who is around him.

That is why mock drafters are predicting the Giants will be in the market for a quarterback and one name that has continually come up is Kentucky’s Will Levis.

The latest to connect the two sides is Pro Football Focus, which listed a 2023 prospect to watch for each team.

“From a pure tools perspective, Levis is probably the closest thing in the upcoming draft class to Josh Allen. And we all saw what Giants head coach Brian Daboll did with that in Buffalo. In his first season as a starter after transferring from Penn State, Levis earned a 90.6 overall grade.”

Levis, who is 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, transferred to Kentucky from Penn State last year and showed solid all-around ability. He should grow as a senior with one more year of experience in the SEC.

Selecting Levis would reunite him with wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who the Giants landed in the second round in this year’s draft.

Last week, at the Manning Passing Academy, Levis continued to turn heads. He spoke about getting all he

“I want to be a sponge and soak up as much information as I can from these guys,” he told reporters in June. “Every one of these quarterbacks has something we can learn from each other. And obviously Peyton and Eli, with their experience, it’s so invaluable. To ask them questions — I’m making sure I am spending as much time as I can without bugging them too much. I just can’t wait to take advantage of this.”

His relationship with the Mannings surely won’t hurt his chances with the Giants.

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