UK in the 2023 NFL Draft: Could Will Levis be a first-round pick next April?
.JPG "Kentucky quarterback Will Levis could play himself into the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.")
The 2022 NFL Draft is in the books, and four University of Kentucky players joined the ranks as coveted rookies.
It might be easy to get disillusioned about what UK has achieved when Southeastern Conference brethren like Alabama and Georgia are sending seven to 10 guys to the league on an annual basis, but that shouldn’t belittle what the Wildcats have done, especially in the greater context of history. After failing to have a player drafted in 2017 and 2018, UK has had 17 players selected by NFL teams (and several others picked up as free agents).
The number of UK footballers selected should continue to grow next April. Here are 10 guys whose names could be called in Kansas City next year.
Will Levis, QB
At this point, it’s fair to assume, barring injury or a drastic regression in performance, Will Levis will be the first Kentucky quarterback drafted since Andre Woodson in 2008. The real question is, “How high can Levis climb?” Next year’s quarterback crop, highlighted by juniors-to-be Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, is eliciting much more excitement than the 2021 edition garnered. Levis (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) has a favorable physical profile and the arm strength to match; if he improves his accuracy and cuts back on turnovers, he has the potential to be a first-round selection. Buzz is building toward that sentiment; Joe Marino of the The Draft Network has him going No. 6 overall in his “way-too-early” first-round mock draft.
J.J. Weaver, OLB
In Mark Stoops’ tenure, only one defensive player has declared for the NFL Draft prior to their senior year: Jamin Davis, who vaulted into the first round after a productive season as a redshirt junior and an eye-popping NFL combine. Weaver has the potential to become the second if he produces at the level he can — and that UK will need him to — and shows that he’s at 100 percent; remember, he played all of last season despite being less than a year removed from an ACL surgery.
Kenneth Horsey, OL
He has made 21 starts in 25 career games for a unit that, as of this this year, has sent five guys to the league in the last four drafts. The “Big Blue Wall” branding is a real thing, and if it continues to perform at a clip to which people following the team have become accustomed, Horsey will merit consideration despite some potential red flags from teams nitpicking at the next level (he has really only played guard and his past heart issues).
Keaton Upshaw, TE
An upper-body injury sidelined Upshaw for the entirety of the 2021 season, in which he might’ve emerged as an ideal 1B to Wan’Dale Robinson’s 1A in Liam Coen’s offense. The staff hasn’t been shy about touting Upshaw — listed at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds — as a guy who has looked good as he gets off the bus, and in 2020 he was the Wildcats’ second-leading receiver in terms of receptions and had a team-high three receiving touchdowns. A single breakout campaign could be all it takes to push Upshaw to the pros.
Tayvion Robinson, WR
If the surname Robinson is as kind to UK this fall as it was last, then in turn it could be heard once more next April. A three-year starter for Virginia Tech who racked up 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns in 36 games, it’s unfair to expect for Tayvion to match Wan’Dale Robinson’s record-setting production but if he steps into the slot and produces at a familiar rate per catch, he’ll be on NFL teams’ radars. It wouldn’t hurt his cause, either, if Wan’Dale thrives at the next level after a single college season in a pro-style offense.
Jordan Wright, OLB
Wright’s always stood out as a guy with the potential to make a “leap” to stardom that would put him into the NFL discussion. His wiry frame and all-around disruptive capability is enticing, but his durability and consistency have distracted from what has been a solid four-year playing career. He’s a super senior for whom 2022 will truly be “make or break” in terms of his pro outlook. He comes into the fall with a better stat line than UK players who have been drafted in recent years: 106 total tackles (15.5 for a loss), 7.5 sacks, six QB hurries, 12 pass breakups and four forced fumbles and recoveries.
Jacquez Jones, LB
The former multi-year starter at Ole Miss wasn’t a surprise contributor in his first year at UK, but how he contributed opened some eyes. Jones (6-foot-0, 235 pounds) demonstrated a knack for dropping into pass coverage and producing, finishing the season with four pass breakups and an interception. He sat out of the Wildcats’ Citrus Bowl win with an injury but otherwise was a model of consistency. His size isn’t prototypical of inside linebackers at the next level, but if Jones can again show out in pass coverage on top of his ability as a tackler, he could be a contributor at the next level.
DeAndre Square, LB
He’s a returning senior who has played since day one upon his arrival at UK; Square made his first start as a true freshman in the 2019 Citrus Bowl win over Penn State. Square has gotten better as an all-around player each year but hasn’t necessarily had the kind of “breakout” season that would differentiate him from similar linebackers. Like Jones, Square is undersized (6-foot-1, 224 pounds), so that doesn’t help, either. For him, continuing to be available (he’s missed just two games in his career due to injury) will be big: Square’s one of the toughest players on UK’s roster. NFL teams can see that.
Chris Rodriguez, RB
The running back position is still important at the next level, but unless you’re an all-world talent, it’s also largely expendable. That’s reflected in the drafting of the position: Since 2016, just 10 running backs have been selected in the first round. None were picked in the first round this year. It was a mild surprise that Rodriguez returned following his redshirt sophomore season, and a bigger one that he’s coming back for his senior season, but that call seems largely predicated on two things: he has an opportunity to become UK’s all-time leading rusher and will have at least 12 more games to gather film showing that he can catch the ball out of the backfield. There’s probably nothing at this point that he can do to make himself a Day 1 selection, but a stat-stuffed senior campaign could put Rodriguez in the Day 2 conversation.
Tashawn Manning, OL
Leaving Auburn to spend a fifth college season at UK suggests that Manning wasn’t likely to be selected in this year’s NFL Draft had he declared, and that he felt like joining a program that celebrates its offensive linemen could make a difference next April. UK has had five offensive linemen selected over the last four drafts, and multiple others have signed post-draft free-agent contracts; Auburn has had five offensive linemen drafted in the last 10 years. If Manning plugs into a pro-style offense and looks good, he’ll field calls next spring.
