NFL Combine: Will Levis Commands the Podium, Posts ‘Meh’ On-Field Workout
By Hunter Haas
When Will Levis took the podium at the NFL Combine, he commanded the room’s attention. Veering on the edge of arrogance, Levis explained to the media what he brings to the table as an NFL quarterback.
He calmly stated, “My goal is to win more than anyone has. I want to be the greatest of all time. I feel like you’re crazy if you don’t think that way.” Big talk, but I loved it. Levis is right after all, what is the point in doing something if you aren’t trying to be the best at it?
NFL Combine: Will Levis Commands the Podium, Posts ‘Meh’ On-Field Workout
Levis continued hyping himself up, “I think I have one of the stronger arms out of any draft class in recent memory.” Then the Kentucky signal-caller turned to his intangibles off the field, “Who I am as a person, my morals, what I stand for, my values… I think that is the most beneficial thing for me to be able to share with coaches.”
Of all the quarterbacks in this class, nobody is as confident in their ability as Levis is. He made this very clear at the podium, and it’s easy to see how more than a handful of teams could fall in love after talking to him.
However, the interview portion is only one aspect of the NFL Combine process. As the on-field drills approached, many wondered if Levis could back up all of this talk. While there were some great throws mixed in — highlighting his arm strength and velocity — it was a mostly disappointing night for Levis.
More often than not, he sailed throws over the heads of the receivers or into the turf at their feet. Throwing in workout clothes is objectively easier, but when a player is so used to dealing with defenses and pressures, it is difficult to simulate that at the Combine.
A selling point to Levis’ game is also his legs, which he was unable to showcase during the throwing drills. Only two of the nearly dozen drills involved the quarterback moving direction in any way. This makes it tough to draw any conclusions.
The workouts only carry so much weight around the league. Usually, the interviews are most important for teams, and then the workouts are better served to show fans and media what the ball looks like coming out of a quarterback’s hand. All in all, a bad workout is not a death sentence in the NFL Draft.
Given how well Levis did in the public interview, I can imagine he did in private, too. But, the workout was lackluster and offered more bad than good if you ask me.
However, this poor showing on the field is not enough to tank Levis’ draft stock. I always had the Wildcat signal-caller ranked fourth in my quarterback rankings, and he remains there today.
I expected confidence and poise at the podium and some errant throws on the field. That is exactly what I saw on tape, as well. Will Levis will be a first-round pick… the question is: how early?