Mark Stoops: Devin Leary’s vision problem resolved ahead of Alabama game

Kentucky football quarterback Devin Leary’s vision problem that led him to miss the fourth quarter of Kentucky’s 24-3 win at Mississippi State has apparently been resolved.

“He was having a hard time reading off the wristband at that particular moment.” UK coach Mark Stoops said Monday, declining to elaborate on the specifics of what caused the vision problem. “He can read it now.”

Leary was briefly forced to the sideline after taking a hard hit on a pass into the end zone that was caught out of bounds in the third quarter. UK used a timeout so he could return to the field without missing a play, but he lasted just four more plays — one of which was a sack — before leaving the game for good. Leary was sacked just once in the game, but he escaped from what looked like a sure sack multiple other times, eluding pressure long enough to get off a throw. Mississippi State was credited with three quarterback hurries.

While there was speculation about a shoulder injury on the broadcast, Stoops revealed after the game it was blurry vision in one eye that was the issue.

“His eye was really blurry,” offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “Couldn’t read (the play card). Hopefully he’s OK. That’s really all I think about.

“… From an execution standpoint, it wasn’t just his fault. Hopefully he’s OK, but that definitely affected our operation.”

Backup quarterback Kaiya Sheron completed 2 of 3 passes for 5 yards in relief of Leary as Kentucky focused on trying to improve its struggling rushing attack with a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter.

Sheron had attempted just one pass in two cameo appearances this season before Saturday. His only career start was UK’s loss to South Carolina last year when he completed 15 of 27 passes for 178 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while starter Will Levis was unavailable due to turf toe.

Kentucky faces No. 8 Alabama Saturday at noon at Kroger Field.

This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 12:46 PM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

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Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription