Kentucky quarterback Will Levis announced on Wednesday he will forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the 2023 NFL draft, where the fifth-year senior is viewed as a possible top-10 pick.
Levis said in a social media post that he will also miss the Wildcat'’ matchup with Iowa in the Music City Bowl on New Year's Eve to begin preparations for a pro career.
"After much thought, I have decided to forgo my final college football game, look to that next step, and declare for the NFL draft," Levis wrote.
"To my team-mates, UK staff members, Wildcat community, and (Big Blue Nation), I cannot thank you enough. I'll forever be indebted to all those I had the pleasure to cross paths with here, and my immense love for you will remain strong in my heart, forever."
Levis is considered one of three potential franchise quarterbacks eligible for next year's draft, along with Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud.
Young has yet to announce a decision on his future plans, while Stroud is preparing for the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff clash with No. 1 Georgia in the December 31 Peach Bowl.
The 23-year-old Levis established himself as an elite prospect with two outstanding seasons at Kentucky after transferring from Penn State.
He helped the Wildcats to only the fourth 10-win season in program history by throwing for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2021, and threw for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 games this season for a Kentucky program that was ranked as high as No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25.
"Because of Kentucky, I found belief and confidence in myself that had not been reached beforehand and most importantly, we won some incredibly memorable ball games in my college career," Levis said. "It has been a great move forward."
Seattle’s defence dismantles the New York Giants as Seahawks win 24-3
Seattle claimed their third-straight victory in dominant fashion as the Seahawks’ defence monstered the New York Giants en route to a 24-3 win.
The Seahawks sacked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones 10 times and came away with two interceptions, including a 97-yard pick six to rookie Devon Witherspoon.
The visitors opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter, Geno Smith finding DK Metcalf in the end zone on a six-yard reception.
New York were able to cut the gap through a 55-yard field goal from Graham Gano.
But the Giants’ offence was no match for Seattle’s defence and did not look like scoring again from there.
Seattle found the end zone again just before half-time and Witherspoon’s third-quarter score ultimately sealed the 21-point victory.
Colts' Taylor to come off PUP list, could play in Week 5
The Indianapolis Colts could be getting a big part of their offence back for Sunday's game against the visiting Tennessee Titans.
The Colts will activate Jonathan Taylor from the physically unable to perform list this week, and depending how he looks in practise, he could be on the field for their next game.
Indianapolis' first practise of the week is Wednesday, and it will mark Taylor's first of the season after he was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp while recovering from ankle surgery.
Colts coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Monday that Taylor is excited to rejoin the Colts and get back to work.
The ankle injury wasn't the only issue this offseason for Taylor, as the 2021 NFL rushing champion had been mired in a contract dispute and had requested a trade.
Taylor, the runner-up for the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is scheduled to earn $4.3 million in 2023.
The fourth-year pro ran for a franchise-record 1,811 yards in 2021, but was slowed by injuries last year and was put on the PUP list earlier this summer as he recovered from ankle surgery that ended his 2022 campaign in December.
Ankle issues limited Taylor to 11 games last season, which he finished with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.
Taylor averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his sensational 2021 season in which he also tied for the NFL lead with 20 total touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.
He'll be joining a 2-2 team that got No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson back in Sunday's 29-23 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams after the rookie quarterback suffered a concussion in Week 2.
Without Taylor in the fold, Zack Moss has emerged as the team's No. 1 running back, and has rushed for 280 yards with a touchdown through three games.
Damar Hamlin: NFL return after cardiac arrest ‘meant everything’
Damar Hamlin said his return to the NFL “meant everything” nine months after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
The Buffalo Bills safety collapsed during a game in Cincinnati on January 2 and had to be resuscitated before being rushed to hospital.
Hamlin was cleared to resume his career and made his first NFL appearance on Sunday in the Bills’ 48-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
He told a post-match press conference: “That moment meant everything to me.
“I think it was more about proving something to myself than anything else, showing myself that I have the courage, I have the strength, I’ve got the pride, all those words, in me.
“To go through something so dramatic and be able to come back from it and to be able to still do what I love at the highest level in the world is amazing.”
Hamlin was the last player to emerge from the tunnel prior to the match and ran the length of the field before removing his helmet and soaking up the acclaim of the crowd.
Hamlin could be in the Bills’ side next Sunday when they travel to London to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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