The NFL's pro day scened shifted to Lexington, Kentucky on Friday afternoon as Will Levis had his chance to leave a good impression on the league's decision makers.
Overall, it was just like any other pro day and Levis didn't do anything to hurt his draft stock in the process. The Kentucky quarterback flashed his arm strength on multiple throws of at least 60 air yards at the end, while also mixing in a showcase of his accuracy on the move earlier in the session.
Levis did show off the fastball and thanks to a quiet Kentucky facility, we were able to hear the impact of the ball hitting his receivers. He missed a few throws, but the misses weren't concerning from an overall accuracy standpoint.
At the very least, there is no doubt that the 6-3, 231-pound Levis has all the physical tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. The reviews from the workout were generally positive and that should keep him in the conversation as a high first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He met with the Panthers, who hold the draft's top selection, prior to working out on Friday and could end up being the earliest Wildcats quarterback selected in the NFL Draft since Tim Couch went No. 1 overall in 1999.
NFL DRAFT 2023: SN's latest first-round mock | Updated big board
Sporting News tracked Levis' performance from his pro day Friday. Below are the highlights from Young's showcase at the Kentucky pro day.
Will Levis pro day live updates, highlights
(All times Eastern.)
1:36 p.m. — Will Levis' throwing session is now over. He flashed some accuracy inside and outside the pocket before eventually showing off his arm at the end with what Jordan Palmer called, "Happy Gilmore throws," including one that even hit the roof at Kentucky's practice facility.
It was a pro day that didn't scare off any teams and the results were positive. We'll have to wait and see whether is was enough to convince teams to take Levis over Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, but his arm strength will make plenty of fans around the league.
He launched this 60 yards on a rope 😳🚀@UKFootball | @will_levis pic.twitter.com/IxJ4opNd0o
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 24, 2023
PRO DAY TAKEAWAYS: C.J. Stroud | Bryce Young
1:33 p.m. — It's time for some fun throws to conclude the throwing session -- otherwise known as the showcase for Levis' cannon for an arm. He's routinely throwing the ball about 65-70 yards down field now.
Will Levis threw for about 20 minutes in one direction, 10 min once they flipped the field…
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) March 24, 2023
…and now, the deep ball. #Panthers | #ProDay2023 pic.twitter.com/bsULLONKQN
1:30 p.m. — Here's another angle from that throw on the run from earlier. You can see how the ball just explodes out of Levis' hands.
Will Levis showing off for the NFL at Pro Day pic.twitter.com/ON6KYx6Isk
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) March 24, 2023
1:25 p.m. — Levis' ability to get the ball downfield in a hurry will make some team fall in love with him during this process. He hits his receiver nicely here along the sideline.
Will Levis is putting on a show at Kentucky's pro day 💪@UKFootball's pro day live on SEC Network pic.twitter.com/FpOod2Tt9q
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 24, 2023
1:22 p.m. — The best throw of the day so far has come with Levis on the run, hitting his intended receiver Barion Brown in stride.
Will Levis looking spry, looking healthy as he throws on the run at his Kentucky pro day.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) March 24, 2023
No questioning his arm talent. The ball launches out of his hand, even when working off-platform.
pic.twitter.com/tiNpHW0IdE
1:18 p.m. — Levis has begun to make some throws outside the pocket, as well as working in some deep throws. He's was a little cautious on the initial deep pass, under throwing the receiver.
Will Levis on the money to Barion Brown.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) March 24, 2023
Brown makes the catch after a juggle. pic.twitter.com/D1J9we54Jp
1:16 p.m. — Levis' arm strength is on full display, as he is showing off the fastball right now.
Will Levis to Barion Brown never gets old @BBNTonight pic.twitter.com/foQuGh5PrH
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) March 24, 2023
1:13 p.m. — Levis is throwing to his fellow draft prospects during this session.
Scouts and NFL reps surrounding the field as Will Levis goes through a series of throws with current Kentucky WRs Dane Key and Barion Brown, as well as fellow draft prospect Chris Rodriguez at RB. pic.twitter.com/ZKQ7yN0bcs
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) March 24, 2023
1:11 p.m. — We are off and running at Will Levis' pro day throwing session. He's started with some short throws, but mixing a little bit of everything. There aren't many Colts personnel in attendance, according to IndyStar.
Out here at Kentucky’s pro day, where Will Levis has just started throwing. None of the Colts’ top personnel is here from what I can see, but they do have a pair of scouts. pic.twitter.com/vZDtFL11sp
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) March 24, 2023
12:59 p.m. — According to SEC Network, Levis is now expected to begin his throwing session at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Will Levis & his receivers warming up #BBN pic.twitter.com/QvJ16FlWW4
— Lyndsey Gough (@LGonTV) March 24, 2023
12:00 p.m. — In addition to the Panthers, the Titans and Seahawks are also well represented at Levis' pro day in Lexington.
Among those in attendance for Kentucky QB Will Levis' Pro Day in Lexington today ...
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 24, 2023
• Panthers HC Frank Reich and GM Scott Fitterer.
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider.
• Titans HC Mike Vrabel and GM Ran Carthon.
11:28 a.m. — According to The Athletic's Colts beat writer Zak Keefer, there is a lighter turnout for Levis' pro day than C.J. Stroud had at Ohio State, but still plenty on hand to watch the Kentucky quarterback. It does not come as a surprise though, since Ohio State had multiple top prospects at other positions that teams could've been in town to evaluate.
📍 Kentucky Pro Day
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 24, 2023
Will get a chance to watch QB Will Levis up close in a bit. Not the same crowd Ohio State saw on Wednesday, but plenty of NFL personnel on hand. pic.twitter.com/Qf0GW6addA
10:52 a.m. — Will Levis continues his meet and greet with the Panthers prior to throwing today. He's been seen talking with multiple members of the organization, including head coach Frank Reich. It's been reported that Levis is expected to begin throwing around 12:30/1 p.m. ET.
A few minutes later, Will Levis with #Panthers HC Frank Reich.
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) March 24, 2023
He’s expected to throw around 12:30/1p. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/pgoCwHCOm6
10:27 a.m. — We can expect around 55 throws today from Levis, according to his quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer.
Today's throwing program for @Will_Levis, via his QBs coach @JwPalms.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 24, 2023
• Roughly 55 throws.
• Progression-read throws.
• Throws in shotgun and under center.
• Variety of throws off play-action, on the run.
• Highlighting touch, control, velocity.
• Shot throws to finish.
10:22 a.m. — Measurements are in for Levis and there are no noticeable differences from how he measured at the NFL Combine in early March.
Will Levis Pro Day measurements:
— Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) March 24, 2023
6’03.7”
231 pounds
10.5” hands
32” arm length
78 3/8” wingspan
9:55 a.m. — The Panthers continue to wine and dine the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. They reportedly had dinner with Will Levis on Thursday night ahead of his pro day on Friday.
#Panthers had dinner with Will Levis last night. He'll have his Pro Day today. This is someone who moved up the draft board at combine after getting knocked down during his season at Kentucky. I still think his upside in the NFL is big. We'll go to Lexington tonight on @CSLonQCN
— Christian Audi (@TheEpicAudi) March 24, 2023
Will Will Levis throw at the Kentucky pro day?
Yes, Will Levis will throw at Kentucky's pro day. The Wildcats quarterback worked out and threw at the 2023 NFL Combine, but he is expected to make a case for himself at his pro day as well.
Levis showed off a strong arm at the combine, logging a throw of 59 mph in the ball velocity drill. That was just 1 mph slower than Anthony Richardson's 60 mph mark.
If Levis (6-4, 229 pounds) shows well in the on-field drills, he can move closer toward being a top-10 lock. As it stands, he is the most likely of the top quarterbacks to slide, but he still could easily be a top-five pick.
MORE: Watch Will Levis at Kentucky's pro day live on Fubo (free trial)
How to watch Kentucky's pro day in 2023
- Date: Friday, March 24
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- TV channel: SEC Network
- Live stream: Fubo
SEC will begin its broadcast of Kentucky's pro day beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. It isn't exactly clear when Levis will begin his workout, but it shouldn't be long after the broadcast begins.
For those who want to live stream the pro day, Fubo carries the SEC Network, as well as the ESPN family of networks, NBC, CBS and Fox, meaning you'll be able to catch all sorts of NFL action leading up to, and during, the 2023 season. Fubo also offers a free trial.
Will Levis NFL Draft projection
Currently, Will Levis is expected to be a first-round draft pick. However, his draft range varies more than any of the other top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Levis could end up being the third quarterback selected, in which case he would likely be a top-five pick. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Colts trading up to the No. 3 spot to select Levis with C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young coming off the board ahead of him.
MORE: Biggest takeaways from Bryce Young's pro day
That said, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has Levis slipping all the way to the Buccaneers' selection at 19 overall. So, it's possible that Levis could fall out of the top 15 if teams like the Lions, Raiders and Titans all pass on quarterbacks.
SN's Vinnie Iyer presently has Levis being selected No. 6 overall by the Lions. That would allow him to compete with Jared Goff for the starting job in a high-powered Detroit offense.
All these mocks tell us one thing: while Levis is likely to be a first-round pick, it's uncertain exactly when he will be selected. He could be a top-five pick or he could slip to the back end of the top 20 — or even outside it.
SN's Jacob Camenker also contributed to this report.