Kentucky has found their new quarterback for 2023, as N.C. State transfer quarterback Devin Leary committed to the Wildcats on Tuesday, per multiple reports.
Will Levis has served as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback over the past two seasons, but the 6’3″, 232-pounder declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month.
The New Jersey native entered the portal in early December and quickly took a visit to Kentucky approximately a week afterward, causing plenty of reports to arise that Leary was likely headed to Lexington.
Now, the former four-star recruit joins the SEC in an attempt to boost his draft stock in his final year of eligibility.
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Leary will be the new man under center for the Cats and brings plenty of experience to Lexington. The 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist finished his time at N.C. State sixth in program history with 6,807 career passing yards and holds the best interception rate all-time in Raleigh, as he threw just 16 picks on 944 attempts..
Leary entered the portal in early December after four seasons with the Wolfpack. The Timber Creek High School product threw 62 total touchdowns along with his 6,800+ yards and averaged 226.9 yards per game in 30 games played.
After a highly productive 2021 campaign that saw Leary throw for over 3,400 yards and 35 touchdowns to just five interceptions, there was a lot of hype surrounding Leary and the N.C. State offense heading into 2022. However, injuries plagued Leary’s season, and the Wolfpack’s signal caller was not as sharp as he was in 2021. Leary played just in just six games, throwing for 1,265 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. N.C. State was 5-1 in Leary’s starts with their lone loss coming to Clemson. However, Leary and the Wolfpack had close calls against East Carolina in Week 1 and against Florida State in Week 6.
Regardless, Kentucky has found a fine replacement for Levis in Leary, as one of the top quarterbacks to enter the portal will be wearing Blue and White next fall.
Tennessee and Kentucky will meet in Lexington on Saturday, October 28 in 2023.
