Eli Drinkwitz has a history with Devin Leary as the Missouri coach recruited the Kentucky quarterback to NC State, and Drinkwitz also coached him for a year as offensive coordinator.

The teams will meet for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Lexington on Saturday.

Drinkwitz said Leary is difficult to compete against because he can make any throw at any time, and pressure doesn’t faze Leary. Drinkwitz noted that before the Georgia game, Leary was sacked just once this season.

“He obviously has all the talent that we felt like he had when we recruited him,” Drinkwitz said Tuesday. “… He’s such a competitor, he’s very tough. He’s got an elite arm. He’s got great toughness in the pocket and command. Those are on display a lot.”

Drinkwitz declined to evaluate Leary this season until after the game, but noted how at NC State, he played at an all-ACC level. In 2021, for example, Leary was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He also set a new school single season record with 35 passing touchdowns – he broke the previous mark of 34 held by Philip Rivers (2003). He also ranked third in the league in passing efficiency with a 157.1 mark – the second-best mark for a season in school history.

Drinkwitz said he wasn’t sure if he’d speak to Leary before the game, but he definitely would after.