Mel Kiper Jr. facing backlash for QB projections after Bryce Young dazzles in Sugar Bowl
Mel Kiper Jr. has faced loads of criticism from college football fans around the country for consistently ranking Kentucky QB Will Levis over Alabama QB Bryce Young ahead of the NFL Draft, and Saturday renewed that backlash.
Since Levis sat out and Kentucky turned in a dismal offensive performance in the Music City Bowl, and Young had a tremendous game in the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State, Kiper was in the crosshairs again.
“You can be short and not small,” Kiper has said on ESPN. “But the weight, having passes batted down, holding up physically, those are things Bryce Young is going to have to prove once he’s in the NFL.”
Young was 15-for-21 passing for 321 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Wildcats.
Here’s a sampling of the reaction:
Today I learned that Mel Kiper has Will Levis ahead of Bryce Young in draft rankings and boy, that might be the dumbest thing anyone has said for the sake of attention in the history of sports media
— WOMPIN Enthusiast (@NathanGerdts) December 31, 2022
Bryce young is him Mel kiper crazy as hell if the think will Levis better than him
— Mr. I.B.I.M (@Erob_tv) December 31, 2022
Mel Kiper having Will Levis ranked above Bryce Young in his big board is one of the many reasons he is an absolute moron
— Whitaker Cunningham (@twittaker6) December 30, 2022
What does Mel Kiper know that I don’t? Bryce young the first pick in the draft
— Prisareetski (@prisareetskii) December 31, 2022
But Mel Kiper said Levis was better
— Aints bettuh (@Supergremlin7) December 31, 2022
Mel Kiper be watching Bryce Young play and really be like yeaa that boy Will Levi’s is soooo much better
— Brandon Lawson (@CoachBLaw) December 31, 2022
Mel Kiper needs to be investigated for putting that Kentucky QB over Bryce Young
— BabaMcqueen (@AbnormalSoldier) December 31, 2022
Mel Kiper having Will Levis ranked above Bryce Young in his big board is one of the many reasons he is an absolute moron
— Whitaker Cunningham (@twittaker6) December 30, 2022
Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay: Will Levis WHO?!!
— The Anti-Social Media Savoir (@WeaponIQ) December 31, 2022
Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay told us Will Levis better than Bryce Young. And they supposedly draft experts
— The Anti-Social Media Savoir (@WeaponIQ) December 31, 2022
