The NFL Draft is here. So what’s the key to Kentucky’s post-Will Levis offense?

John Clay

April 25, 2023 at 12:18 PM·4 min read

Thursday night in Kansas City, after months of speculation, now former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will (finally) hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Back here in Lexington, now is a good a time to identify the key to UK’s post-Levis offense.

Devin Leary won’t just be a fine Levis replacement, he’ll be better than fine. The former North Carolina State star is a precision passer, one who threw for 35 touchdowns compared to five interceptions in 2021. Injuries curtailed his 2022 season, however, including a torn pectoral muscle. The Cats caught a break when Leary was able to participate in spring drills, allowing the New Jersey native a head start on learning offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s scheme.

With Leary at quarterback, N.C. State started 5-1 last season. With Leary sidelined, the Wolfpack went 3-4 including a home loss to Boston College (3-9) and a road loss at Louisville (8-5), plus a 16-12 loss to Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. With Leary, State averaged 30.5 points per game. Without him, State averaged 19.

Conclusion: The Cats need to keep their new quarterback upright, something it struggled to do last season with its old quarterback.

That’s where the offensive line comes in, as it usually does. Big men lead the way, as former UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran was fond of saying. Blame it on injuries or newcomers or lack of depth, but the Cats’ offensive line did not perform to its standard a season ago.

Thus the Big Blue Wall is in rebuild. More evidence of that came last week with reports USC offensive tackle Courtland Ford is transferring to Kentucky. He’s a 6-foot-6, 305-pound native of Cedar Hill, Texas, who started 12 games in three seasons for the Trojans. Ford played left tackle at USC but is likely to battle Jeremy Flax for the starting role at right tackle for the Cats.

Ford joins a group in flux. Second-year line coach Zach Yenser used spring drills trying to find the best spots for his best five. After playing left tackle out of need last season, Kenneth Horsey returned to left guard. Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox took over left tackle. After playing center last season, Eli Cox returned to right guard. After playing right guard in 2022, Jager Burton is the center for 2023.

Kentucky offensive lineman Jager Burton (62) on the field in-between drills during an open practice at the training facility in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, April 1, 2022.

Burton is the key to making everything work. Starting center Drake Jackson played a significant role in Kentucky’s consecutive bowl appearances from 2017 through 2020. His successor, Luke Fortner, transitioned so well from guard to center he was the No. 65 overall selection in last year’s draft by Jacksonville. Fortner started all 19 games for the Jaguars last season.

Dante Scarnecchia, the legendary former offensive line coach of the New England Patriots, would ask of a prospective lineman, “Is he really smart? Is he really tough? And is he athletic enough?”

Burton has more than enough athleticism. With the former Frederick Douglas star at center, Coen and Yenser can do some of the schematic things All-Pro center Jason Kelce does with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

“I think you can do a lot of different things (with an athletic center),” said Yenser during spring drills. “You can get some pin-and-pull schemes, and you can do some stuff where you feel like you can get your center out on the edge. I think you can get to the second level and cut defenses in half in the run game. I think Jag can do all that.”

Indeed, Coen and Yenser saw enough of the spring results to carry the five-man configuration over into the fall.

Remember, Kentucky did not have a single offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft from 1994 through 2012. Under Mark Stoops, the Cats have had five selections from their O-Line over the past four years — George Asafo-Adjei in 2019, Logan Stenberg in 2020, Landon Young in 2021, Darian Kinnard and Fortner in 2022.

The goal is to add to that list. And keep Devin Leary upright.

2023 NFL Draft

At Kansas City, Mo.

Thursday: Round 1 (8 p.m.)

Friday: Rounds 2-3 (7 p.m.)

Saturday: Rounds 4-7 (Noon)

TV: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Peyton Manning: Will Levis ‘might have been genetically engineered to be an NFL QB’

How Kentucky QB Will Levis worked his way from run-first backup to top NFL Draft prospect

These former Kentucky high school and college stars could join Will Levis in the NFL Draft

Before the NFL Draft, here are the top five Will Levis moments for Kentucky football

View a list of every Kentucky Wildcat selected in NFL Draft history

Projecting Kentucky football’s defensive depth chart after spring practice

Projecting Kentucky football’s offensive depth chart after spring practice

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2023 NFL Draft

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