2023 NFL Draft QB Stock Watch: Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis untested in tune-ups for conference play

College football is still at the portion of the season where power programs are playing a weaker out-of-conference schedule so it is difficult to learn much about these quarterbacks each week. The next two to three months of the season will be more telling.

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 up

Stats (31-0 win vs. Youngstown State): 27 of 35 passes completed, 377 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 9 carries, 7 yards, 1 TD

Levis did a nice job working through his progressions all afternoon but his eyes suggested that he may have been reading his receivers rather than the defense. There were a few plays where the Penn State transfer should have gotten to his second read quicker based on what the defense was showing him. Levis threw with touch and good ball placement. 

Kentucky’s offensive line continued to have issues against Youngstown State and lost a few more bodies Saturday. In the face of pressure, Levis stood tall, identified single coverage and threw a ball out there for his wide receivers to make a play. It was a showing of good awareness and completions in that moment can be deflating for the defense. His second interception was a result of throwing off his back foot unnecessarily. 

Aidan O’Connell, Purdue: Stock down

Stats (32-29 loss at Syracuse): 39 of 55 passes completed, 424 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 1 carry, 7 yards

O’Connell stood tall in the pocket and delivered throws…