During his time with Levis, Hasselbeck said he became a fan of the young man.
He watched him encourage others in the group, aggressively rooting them on. Hasselbeck said he saw a young leader.
Without question, Hasselbeck said, Levis has the skill-set, from a big arm to his athletic ability.
“I think I heard this statement a few times at the combine, and I thought it was really good: He looks like a create-a-player on Madden,” Hasselbeck said of Levis. “He looks exactly the way you want someone to look. He’s strong and fit.”
The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Levis played in 24 games over two seasons at Kentucky.
In 2022, Levis threw for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, as the Wildcats finished 7-4.
In 2021, Levis threw for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions, as the Wildcats finished 10-3.
The way the NFL Draft unfolded provided Hasselbeck with yet another opportunity to encourage Levis, and his father.
Projected as a Top 10 pick by many draft analysts heading into the draft, Levis sat inside the green room with cameras on him and his family all night during the first round, waiting for his name to be called.
It never happened, of course.
When the first night ended, Levis hadn’t been drafted.
Hasselbeck watched it unfold, and did his best to keep the family upbeat, occasionally sending texts.
“Things like: “The guy that is widely regarded as the greatest player of all-time was pick 199,” texted Hasselbeck, referring to Tom Brady. “And, “Aaron Rodgers sat in that green room for a long time with the camera on him.” And, “I was pick 187.”
At the end of the first day, Hasselbeck sent a message along these lines to Will Levis: “The draft is just the draft. What is more important is you go to a great organization with great coaches and players who are helpful to teach you how to be a pro.”
Hasselbeck was speaking from experience.
Hasselbeck, who didn’t even get invited to the NFL Combine, was drafted in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He ended up…
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