Can Will Levis hype help other Kentucky players? ‘We’re all going to shine together.’

The Will Levis circus has returned to Lexington this week.

Kentucky football’s former star quarterback has spent the majority of his pre-NFL Draft work outside the Bluegrass State, but the projected first-round pick has returned to UK’s campus for Friday’s Pro Day. He plans to stay in Lexington until the draft, other than to fly to various NFL cities for visits with franchises interested in drafting him.

Like he did at the NFL Combine, Levis plans to throw passes at UK’s Pro Day on Friday. Close to 100 media credentials have already been granted for the event. Representatives of the vast majority of NFL teams are expected to be in attendance.

While most of that interest is due to Levis’ status as one of the consensus top-four prospects in the draft and his candidacy as a top-five pick, the added attention could benefit the other former Wildcats working out for scouts too.

“I love it,” offensive guard Tashawn Manning said. “Somebody has to be blocking for him. I love it. If he gets the attention, we’re all going to shine together.”

Manning, linebackers Jacquez Jones, DeAndre Square and Jordan Wright, defensive backs Carrington Valentine, Keidron Smith and Tyrell Ajian, running back Chris Rodriguez, kicker Matt Ruffolo and punter Colin Goodfellow are all scheduled to participate in UK’s Pro Day alongside Levis.

Of that group, Manning, Rodriguez, Valentine and Levis already worked out for teams at the NFL Combine. For the other former Wildcats, Pro Day represents the best chance to prove themselves to NFL personnel.

“My job out there is to do the best I can do to help myself,” Smith said. “There are going to be a lot of eyes out there for Will, but if I can catch some of those eyes while I’m out there doing what I need to do, then so be it.”

Smith could particularly benefit from a strong Pro Day performance.

After transferring to Kentucky from Ole Miss prior to the 2022 season, Smith proved capable of playing cornerback at the SEC level with several highlights, including a game-changing interception against Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is competing against Levis for an early draft selection. Smith then impressed enough at the NFLPA Bowl to earn a call-up to the Senior Bowl, but he was still not invited to the combine.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Smith acknowledged teams have questions about his speed. If he can run a fast enough 40-yard dash time Friday, his ability to play multiple positions in the defensive secondary could make him a more enticing prospect for teams.

Square and Jones were among Kentucky’s most important defenders over the last two seasons but both missed extensive time due to injuries. Now healthy, the linebacker duo has a chance to show teams their college production can translate to the next level.

“I know there’s going to be a lot of people there because of Will, but you can’t really depend on who’s there,” Jones said. “You’ve just got to go out and do your thing. Some guys will be like, ‘There’s going to be more scouts, so I’ve got to do more than what I have to,’ when you’ve really just got to go out there and do your thing.”

Multiple current Wildcats could also benefit from the spotlight as wide receivers Barion Brown, Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson are scheduled to catch passes from Levis during his throwing session.

It seems unlikely anything Levis does Friday will dramatically change an NFL team’s perception of his future potential. It could do that for other Wildcats though.

“This day tomorrow is about all of us, all these guys that are going and trying to live out our dream of playing professional ball,” Levis said. “I think most importantly it’s probably important for the guys that weren’t invited to the combine, that couldn’t participate in the combine in one way or the other because this is really their shot to do those things and get their numbers that they’ve been clawing for for the past few months. If I can help by being a sought-after player and getting more eyes on them, then I’m very happy to do that.”

Friday

How to watch Will Levis at UK’s Pro Day

When: 11:30 a.m.

TV: SEC Network

Streaming: NFL Plus

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