Top Quarterback Coming To Lexington
Heading into 2o23 priority one for Mark Stoops and the Kentucky football team is replacing Will Levis. The projected first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft announced he was not only declaring for the NFL but skipping the Music City Bowl on December 31st. The Cats needed a replacement and they got their man. Let’s introduce you to him as Kentucky Lands Devin Leary.
Top transfer Devin Leary has committed to Kentucky 🏈 pic.twitter.com/0MPn02VMOK
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 20, 2022
Big Time Playmaker
According to 247 Sports, Leary is the top ranked quarterback in the transfer portal and the fourth-best player overall. A season ago the New Jersey native was the ACC preseason player of the year and top returning quarterback. In six games he threw for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with four interceptions. He missed the last half of the season due to a torn right pectoral muscle. Going back to 2021 Leary had a season to remember. He completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,433 yards. In addition, he had a remarkable 35 touchdowns and five picks. That made him the only quarterback in college football with those numbers. The Wolfpack finished 9-3 and were scheduled to play UCLA in the Holiday. However, the game was canceled due to COVID issues within the Bruins program.
Leary was a Top 350 player coming out of high school. He finished his career as New Jersey’s all-time leader in passing yards with 9.672 and touchdowns with 117. During his time in Raleigh Leary went 17-4 as a starter. In addition, he’s completed 60 percent of his passes for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns with only 16 interceptions.
Staying Healthy
Of course for anyone who’s followed Leary’s career he has been injury prone. As mentioned earlier he missed the last half of this season due to an injury. Going back to 2020 he missed most of the season after breaking his fibula against Duke. The Leary camp is optimistic and believes he’ll be ready for spring practice in March. Kentucky’s offensive line has to do better protecting him in 2023 than they did Levis this past season. To that end, the Wildcats brought in two players from the portal, Tanner Bowles from Alabama and Marques Cox from Northern Illinois.
It’s a big day for the Big Blue Nation as Kentucky lands Devin Leary. Let’s look at how he fits in with the Cats.
A Dream For Kentucky Fans?
Obviously, Leary moves to number one on the depth chart. There’s a reason he’s the top quarterback in the portal. In fact, ESPN has him in their 2023 potential Heisman contenders. He has two great receivers in Barion Brown and Dane Key returning as sophomores. Throw in former offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s likely returning for 2023 and Cat fans can’t help but be excited by the possibilities.
Again Kentucky lands Devin Leary, the top-rated quarterback in the transfer portal. Don’t forget early signing day is upon us and Last Word On College Football has profiles on several incoming Kentucky recruits and then a full wrap-up of the 2023 class.
