Will Levis - Career at UK

[megablue]

Rick Scangarello has been fired and it appears there was a groundswell of dissatisfaction with the job he did. I get it. However, a review of Levis' stats for his two (2) years here are remarkably comparable, except for his running statistics. This season, ran less and got sacked more frequently, as protection broke down.

Just a guess, but with Rodriguez as such a fabulous running back, it may well be that it was decided to limit Levis' run opportunities. Furthermore, I don't know if there might be an inclination for him to avoid running to prevent possible career-ending injury. I know that is probably not correct, but I cannot help but wonder if the idea was to minimize the hits he would take on runs, in light of the tremendous pre-season hype around where he might go in the NFL draft.

With three (3) stellar lineman and Wan'Dale gone, Levis was operating with a less-talented supporting cast, it seems to me. I think Max Duffy, a frequent visitor to the team's practices and familiar with personnel, alluded to this before the season (predicting 7-5) and caught hell for it. He said the Oline would take a big step backward this season ... and I think we can all agree ... he was right.

Keeping in mind that Levis played in thirteen (13) games last year and only eleven (11) this year, a comparative review of statistics indicates that performance under Coen and Scang was quite similar, absent the running. Repeating: I understand the sentiment for Scangarello to be dismissed, but his results are pretty similar to what Levis achieved under Coen last year ... with Scang having less talent this season, imho. I am NOT making the case for Scangarello to have been retained ... I only thought it is interesting to make the comparison of Levis' performance under the two (2) coaches.

Will Levis Career Stats - NFL - ESPN

Complete career NFL stats for Tennessee Titans Quarterback Will Levis on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

www.espn.com

 

[UKAlum84]

How did Levis not know that the offense line was going to have issues this year?

And special teams was special indeed.

I had high hopes for this season because I honestly looked at the schedule early on and thought we'll be bowl eligible in no time.....

 

[SaltyCat22]

On the bright side he did get two solo tackles this season, his first solo tackles of his career.

 

[megablue]

On the bright side he did get two solo tackles this season, his first solo tackles of his career.

A silver lining that I missed. Thank you !!

 

[megablue]

How did Levis not know that the offense line was going to have issues this year?

And special teams was special indeed.

I had high hopes for this season because I honestly looked at the schedule early on and thought we'll be bowl eligible in no time.....

Based on Stoops' and the media's pre-season hype, I also had high hopes and thought we'd go anywhere from 8-4 to 10-2, although I realized that it would be difficult to continue beating USC, MIZZ and Vandy every season. I don't think it was a horrible year, by any means, but it was certainly disappointing.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

For me his career will be remembered as a dude that played with an incredible edge and intensity for a QB. A great leader. A huge personality.

A guy that made big plays but also big mistakes. So many turnovers and missed reads/opportunities hobbled what could've truly been a magical two years for UK taking us to the next level.

Overall I enjoyed watching him compete and grow into the position. He came a long way in two years.

 

[CUJO_1970]

This year was the difference in Levis being remembered fondly or remembered as a legend.

We will always remember him fondly.

 

[rudd1]

-the line play was middling...that said many of the sacks were on Will or OC's plays taking too long to develop. He holds on to the ball too long(protection didn't breakdown every time...you get 3.5-4 seconds in the sec)...and the ocs plays rarely worked.

^blaming the line is lazy/simplistic.

-they tried to blame the lack of qb run game on the toe injury...that didn't occur until after Ole miss. There was no qb run game prior to that.

^whether it was scheme/draft stock prep (likely a bit of both)...when they eliminated the qb run aspect they neutered Levis. His athleticism is what makes him special. Without his legs he's Morgan Newton.

^I love the kid but he needs to run to be *special*...when the OC took that away his effectiveness dropped significantly. Is what it is.

-in college an OC is paid to recognize strengths/coach to *his* players...as opposed to forcing *his* scheme when it's obvious to anyone paying attention that the scheme ain't working. I was done with Scangerello(sp) after Ole miss. So glad he's gone.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Levis' record at Kentucky was 17-7. That's a winning percentage of 71%. Anybody at Kentucky do better than that in two years? I can't find the Babe's record.

 

[acolli05]

Levis' record at Kentucky was 17-7. That's a winning percentage of 71%. Anybody at Kentucky do better than that in two years? I can't find the Babe's record.

Math is hard 17-7 is not 71%

 

[Marine_In_VA]

Math is hard 17-7 is not 71%

You're right. It's 70.83333333. Assume he rounded up for simplicity.......

17+7=24
17/24=70.83333%

Math is hard....mmkay.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Math is hard 17-7 is not 71%

Not really. He played in 24 games. He won 17. That's 17/24 = 0.70833....3. or 70.8033...3%. I rounded up 2 tenths of one percent to 71%. Stated another way, each win is worth 4.166....6% (100/24). 17 x 4.166....6% = 70.833....%. Rounding up 2 tenths of one percent we have 71%. If it's the 2 tenths of one percent that bothers you, I will concede that.

 

[drbubba]

This year was the difference in Levis being remembered fondly or remembered as a legend.

We will always remember him fondly.

Nope. Neither.

 

[maysvilleky]

Based on Stoops' and the media's pre-season hype, I also had high hopes and thought we'd go anywhere from 8-4 to 10-2, although I realized that it would be difficult to continue beating USC, MIZZ and Vandy every season. I don't think it was a horrible year, by any means, but it was certainly disappointing.

If we had beaten Vandy it would have been more OK. Likely a top 25 team, Florida bowl and wins over UF and UofL. But man that Vandy game is a hard one to shake.

 

[EliteBlue]

The line was the only real difference and the OC could have easily schemed around it w faster developing routes or ditched most of the outside zone blocking schemes (as Coen did).

The OC is also responsible for removing the QB run game. It wasn’t Wills injury…we weren’t running rpo the entire season until the last 2 games we added a little in but there were rumors that some of the play calling responsibilities had already been taken from Scang then. Look at the offenses Scang had been a part of in the NFL…they were all pocket passing QBs and poorly producing offenses….

Will had a weaker line this year…again, some of that was the stubbornness tk stick w longer developing route trees and new blocking schemes. ……but even tho we loss Wandale, Will had way more talent around him at the skill positions. Key, Brown, Robinson, and the TE room provides more options than Wandale/Ali…..Ali would be the 5th option out of those 5

 

[BlueRunner11]

Being a year older, wiser, and stronger…I think the hopes was that it would’ve been an improved upon season, not a similar one.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Let me say this again and I think every Kentucky fan should just feel the same way:
I don't give a damn about will levis or what he does in the NFL. He should have played in the bowl game. You took the NIL money and your ass should have played in the game. Period.

I for one will always hold it against both Levis and Rodriguez.

Josh Allen played in the bowl game. Lynn Bowden played in the bowl game wandell Robinson played the bowl game
. Both of you players can kiss my tail

 

[The Snoke]

Let me say this again and I think every Kentucky fan should just feel the same way:
I don't give a damn about will levis or what he does in the NFL. He should have played in the bowl game. You took the NIL money and your ass should have played in the game. Period.

I for one will always hold it against both Levis and Rodriguez.

Josh Allen played in the bowl game. Lynn Bowden played in the bowl game wandell Robinson played the bowl game
. Both of you players can kiss my tail

That’s pretty strong but I think you’re right. They both should have played… They will not be remembered like Josh or Lynn or Wandell in the same way. Those guys made a difference for the future of the program. These guys just passed through now… AKA J. Vanderbilt. I wish it would have been different.

 

[Doodah859]

Let me say this again and I think every Kentucky fan should just feel the same way:
I don't give a damn about will levis or what he does in the NFL. He should have played in the bowl game. You took the NIL money and your ass should have played in the game. Period.

I for one will always hold it against both Levis and Rodriguez.

Josh Allen played in the bowl game. Lynn Bowden played in the bowl game wandell Robinson played the bowl game
. Both of you players can kiss my tail

You still mad bro lol? I think your in the minority of fans

 

[vhcat70]

When people say they don’t like Mitch, I get confused whether they’re talking McConnell or Barnhart.

 

[mrschwump]

When people say they don’t like Mitch, I get confused whether they’re talking McConnell or Barnhart.

Yes.

 

[panthergram]

Didn't beat Tennessee...

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

I really like Levis, and I think when he runs the football his play gets better. I do not think he will excel at the next level as a drop back passer. He has a huge arm, and that is what the NFL likes. Is it as accurate as it should be? I am not sold. Does he read defenses quickly? I am not sold there either. He runs the ball well, has a big frame, moves really well for a QB, and has a 2nd to none arm. As far as the NFL goes, I would worry about his ability to read defenses and how accurate is his passes.

With all of the good he has done at UK. And I will always remember him fondly. He did turn the ball over too much. Was that because of accuracy or reading defenses properly. I don't know. That would just me my concern for him at the next level. Drafting in the 1st round I would not want my team drafting someone with those question marks.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

Season derailed due to half a second

We wait half a second..win Ole miss.. levis doesn't kick something to injurw his foot .. beat south carolina..top 5 going into Georgia

 

[entropy13]

Without his legs he's Morgan Newton.

The rest of your post was excellent and spot on. The above statement seems a tad hyperbolic. 😆 I mean, Levis took a lot of sacks, but at least he never sacked himself.

 

[Hjack]

Math is hard 17-7 is not 71%

Math is hard for some folks; you may be it. 70.83333333% rounds-up to 71%. I think that this 'hard math' for some may be common sense to others.