College football’s anticipated quarterback prospects took the field over the weekend. Some started slowly but the opening week is often an opportunity to shake off the rust.
Through the course of the season, CBSSports.com will be doing stock up and stock down for top NFL Draft quarterback prospects. The designations come with heavy context, however, because it is more of a weekly evaluation rather a reflection of actual draft prospects, which is based on each player’s collegiate body of work.
Will Levis, Kentucky: Stock Down
Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s first game with the Wildcats was exactly what would be expected of a 49ers-style scheme. There was misdirection, use of a football and play designs working horizontally across the field. It was a natural fit for Levis’ skill set. He showed an ability to throw from different arm angles and was able to drive the football.
The Penn State transfer is known for his arm strength and athleticism but there were moments where that arm strength was unnecessarily present. There were a few scoring opportunities left on the table because he threw too much heat in a moment that did not warrant it. There were a few occasions where he seemed to lock onto a target pre-snap and forced a throw into coverage. There were times where it looked as though he were doing too much. If he is able to settle down and take what the defense is giving him, then next week’s game against Florida could be a big performance.
After losing offensive linemen Darian Kinnard, Luke Fortner and Dare Rosenthal to the NFL, Kentucky was trying out a new look offensive line that is still very much a work in progress as it relates to communicating stunts and twists. Levis is capable of more and that is where the ‘Stock Down’ comes from this week. His long-term prospects are not impacted by one game.
Stat line (37-13 Win over Miami (Ohio): 21 of 32 passes completed, 303 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 7 rushes for -18 yards
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue: Stock Down
O’Connell was a prospect that impressed me during summer scouting but the debut did not reflect what he is capable of accomplishing. He has a slender frame but is really able to drive the ball. The Illinois native had happy feet in the pocket and that contributed to his 50% completion percentage. O’Connell was lucky to escape without any interceptions considering how often he threw into coverage, particularly in…
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