Top transfer QB Devin Leary expected to land at Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (BVM) – The quarterback dominoes around college football are beginning to fall as some of the top programs in the country have begun to lock in their upcoming starters. With the early signing period on the horizon and transfer news continuing to come out over the past few weeks, the biggest name in the portal just announced his next home.
NC State transfer quarterback Devin Leary will be heading to Lexington according to On3, as he aims to take over the spot left over by Will Levis who declared for the NFL draft. Leary was the top target for quarterback-needy teams and has now become part of a large group of collegiate players to find new homes for 2023.
BREAKING: Former NC State QB Devin Leary tells me he has officially Committed to Kentucky!
The 6’2 215 QB is ranked as the No. 3 Player in the Transfer Portal Rankings (No. 1 QB)https://t.co/U7u1XDA9hn pic.twitter.com/hjSewPkbXE
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2022
In his past season with the Wolfpack, Leary passed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns in just six games after tearing his right pec against Florida State on Oct. 8. With 6,807 passing yards and 62 touchdowns in his four years playing for the program, the 6-foot-1 quarterback would go on to surpass Philip Rivers’ single-season touchdown passing record as a junior with 35 touchdowns. Leary’s career passing touchdowns leaves him fourth in NC State history while his over 6,000 passing yards has him just outside the top five in the program’s record books.
With a chance to return back to the field in 2023, Leary is hoping he can match some of the production left behind by the Wildcats’ now-former star quarterback in his final eligible year. In his final two seasons at Kentucky, Levis passed for over 5,200 yards and 43 touchdowns in what will be the lead up to a likely first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kentucky ranked 22nd in NCAA passing yards this past season as the Wildcats got out to a 7-5 record. Their 3-5 conference record didn’t quite live up to the expectations the team entered the season with after a 10-3 campaign in 2021 had the program in search of an even better showing this year. With former offensive coordinator Liam Coen returning to guide the offense after spending 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams, the Wildcats should have a fresh look moving into next season.
Leary and Coen will be tasked with returning the program back towards the top of the SEC East as they try to develop a similar chemistry.
