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Joel Klatt outlines how Will Levis became ‘a victim of the draft machine’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Joel Klatt was keenly tuned into the 2023 NFL Draft like many fans and analysts across the country. Like most people, one of Klatt’s biggest stories of the draft was watching Kentucky quarterback Will Levis slide out of the first round.
He admitted in his latest podcast episode that he had a similar reaction to most people regarding Levis’ slide but for very different reasons. When it comes to Levis, Klatt revealed the pit in his stomach came from the QB even being invited to the first round in the first place.
“I had a pit in my stomach for Will Levis and it wasn’t like ‘Oh my gosh, he’s slipping!’ It was ‘I can’t believe they’re allowing this,’ because it was completely avoidable,” said Klatt. “I got a lot of blowback on social media when I would say things like hey, I have concerns about Will Levis.”
Klatt went on to say his evaluation of the Kentucky QB came as a member of college football and not as a part of the draft machine. In the end, Levis falling to the second round made a lot of sense to those around college football the past few seasons.
“I’m not a part of the draft machine, I am a part of college football so I felt like I had a much more realistic view of what Will Levis was and is than some of these draft people… Those of us that are in college football kind of saw this coming. Will Levis was a victim of the draft machine,” Klatt explained.
“Those of us that are in college football kinda saw this coming” @JoelKlatt explains why Will Levis was a victim of the Draft machine pic.twitter.com/usN7NHpYaE
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) May 2, 2023
NFL outlook for Will Levis
At the end of the day, Levis lands in what should be a great situation to begin his career per ESPN’s Todd McShay. That doesn’t entirely take away the sting of his slide on draft day, but it does mean Levis should get a legitimate shot to develop into a star at the NFL level.
We’ll see how early in his career Levis can carve out playing time as a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
