The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis endured a painful evening at the 2023 NFL Draft after being expected to go in the top five, but the phone never rang.
The 23-year-old was part of the 17-man cohort present in Kansas City Thursday night and he was joined in the green room by his loved ones.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was taken first by the Carolina Panthers while C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson were selected inside the top four.
Cameras panned to Levis nervously waiting to find out which NFL team wants him but it did not arrive.
Quarterbacks were back en vogue in Round 1 of the NFL Draft – except for Levis and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker.
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis nervously waits by his phone at the NFL Draft Thursday night
The 23-year-old was expected to be a top-five pick but was snubbed and heading to Round 2
Three of the first four selections were quarterbacks a year after only one QB was drafted in the first round and the third passer wasn’t chosen until the 86th overall pick in Round 3.
Carolina made Young the top overall pick and Houston chose Ohio State’s Stroud over Levis and the Colts bypassed Levis for Florida QB Anthony Richardson Jr.
Hooker is coming off a torn ACL in November, so slipping into Day 2 was only a mild surprise for the 25-year-old passer who’s hurdled concerns about his health, age and playing style this spring, just not enough to go in the first round.
Levis sat uncomfortably, sometimes squirming under the watchful eyes of millions of television viewers after several mock drafters projected him to follow Young to the podium to pose with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
He will be the best available player on the board when Rounds 2 and 3 commence later today. The final four rounds take place on Saturday.
