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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Levis started out his collegiate career at Penn State before transferring to Kentucky to play for offensive coordinator Liam Coen in 2021. Even though Levis did not get to campus until mid-summer of 2021, he quickly established himself as the Wildcats starter during training camp and went on to have an impressive debut season. In 2021, Levis completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,826 yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He added nine touchdowns on the ground as well and was a hard runner while showing toughness to stay on the field.
Levis completed 65 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kentucky also fielded a worse supporting cast around him after losing multiple offensive linemen to the NFL and No. 1 receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. He also lost his 2021 offensive coordinator Liam Cohen to the Rams, and there was criticism of the scheme that was run by the Wildcats in 2022.
There is no doubt that Levis has next-level ability with a NFL skill set. He has a strong arm, mobility, good height, weight and athleticism to be a pro starting quarterback. However, Levis has no feel and is prone to back-breaking mistakes from poor decisions and holding the ball too long. Levis has some good traits, but he is not reliable in terms of taking care of the football.
Levis has some serious talent, including a strong arm capable of making all the throws. With easy power, Levis can fire the ball deep down the field and attack defenses at all levels. He can drive the ball to the sideline and throw the deep out with ease. He also has the ability to fire fastballs into tight windows in the short to intermediate part of the field. His arm’s power allows him to rifle the ball past defenders to get passes into his receivers. While Levis has a strong arm, he also is capable of lofting in passes and putting air underneath the ball. Many quarterbacks with similar arm strength can have a tendency to throw flat passes, but Levis avoids that and will throw catchable passes. However, Levis is not the most accurate of quarterbacks, and he needs to improve that aspect of his game.
Levis stands tall in the pocket and works through his progressions. Even though he was not in the scheme long, he showed a nice ability to know where all of his receivers were going to be when he started to feel pressure.
Levis’ running ability is an additional part of his skill set that makes him dangerous. He shows some athleticism to dodge defenders in the pocket and a second gear to rip off yards while scrambling upfield. His size comes into play as he uses his strength to finish off runs, and there is no doubt that Levis is tough player. He takes hard hits and stays in the game while showing fearlessness as a runner, hurdling and running through defenders. Levis might need to slide more as a pro, but his relentless attitude and physicality are special.
There are definitely points of improvement for Levis entering the NFL. He has to improve his feel because his lack thereof leads to him holding the ball way too long, throwing some terrible interceptions, and taking way too many sacks. Levis must cut down on interceptions too. He is a gunslinger who competes, but he has to do a better job of protecting the football. He has to get the ball out faster and not hold it so long in the pocket. Levis puts a lot of pressure on his offensive line, and NFL defenses will not give him the time that he wants in the pocket. It would help Levis to throw with more anticipation and not wait to see the receiver break open before pulling the trigger. He can throw passes a little late, which causes receivers to hold up to wait on some passes.
Levis has the skill set of a NFL starter, but he needs to improve drastically. He could still go high in the 2023 NFL Draft, but team sources also see the potential for him to slide. Here are some comments from team sources on Levis.
“He has no feel,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “He doesn’t feel the rush, holds onto the ball too long, gets his a** knocked off, and takes some bad sacks. He has poor decision-making and tries to strong arm the ball into traffic. I hate to say it, but he reminded me of Jeff Driskel.”
“The second round is as far as he’ll slide,” said an NFC director of college scouting. “He plays a premium position and he is one of the very that has prototype traits.”
“He has Jake Locker vibes to me,” said an NFC national scout.
“I don’t like him. Day 2 for sure,” said an AFC director of college scouting.
“He will go higher because of the size, arm, and high-level character, but it doesn’t add up,” said an AFC director of pro personnel. “Where’s the production? He had a new coordinator, a bad offensive line, and was hurt – left shoulder, left foot, and left fingers -, but something doesn’t look right. He struggles with anxiety, and maybe that’s it, but he’s not the most accurate, throws head-scratching interceptions and gets sacked way too easily. The Tennessee game he was terrible (vomit emoji).”
Thus, Levis has fluid draft stock. He has the physical talent to go early in the 2023 NFL Draft and high-level character, so some NFL team could easily fall in love with him. However, his tape and the skepticism from team sources could cause him to slide. Levis shouldn’t slide lower than the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Jameis Winston. Some team sources have compared Levis to Jeff Driskel. Another player who Levis reminded me of was Winston. Both have arm talent, toughness and leadership. However, they both are prone to holding the ball too long, throwing interceptions, and making horrible mistakes. If Levis doesn’t improve drastically, he could be a pro similar to Winston.
RELATED LINKS:
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
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