LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky will be without two key players when it heads to the Music City Bowl for a New Year’s Eve matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The first is its starting quarterback, Will Levis, the second is running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Will Levis made the announcement official on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, saying, “I have decided to forego my final college football game, look to the next step and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.” Levis thanked his teammates, coaches and the Wildcat community. “As a Wildcat, I have met lifelong friends, learned from incredible coaches and built connections with valuable mentors that will guide me through my journey,” he said.
Rodriguez announced his plans in an Instagram post Thursday. He, too, is preparing for NFL Draft season. Rodriguez thanked Kentucky fans in the post and said while he won’t play in the game, “I’ll be in the Music City to support my brothers and hope to see you there.”
Rodriguez leaves as Kentucky’s No. 3 career rusher with 3,644 yards and 32 touchdowns, including 904 yards with six scores this fall despite missing the first four games of the season. He ranked sixth in SEC rushing this fall.
Originally from McDonough, Ga., Rodriguez gained 1,379 yards rushing last season to help Kentucky win 10 games for the second time in four years. Rodriguez surpassed 100 yards rushing five times this fall and broke Benny Snell Jr.’s school record with 20.
As for Levis, the decision comes after much speculation about whether he would play in the game. The two-year starter has been hampered by injuries all season long, and is being highly touted for the upcoming NFL draft, with some experts saying he may be the No. 1 quarterback drafted. Sitting out of bowl games is an appealing option for college players with high draft prospects like Levis, rather than risking more injury.
The fifth-year senior transferred to Kentucky in 2021 and led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season, one of their most successful years ever. That season, he totaled 3,202 offensive years, completed 233 of 353 passes for 2,827 years and 24 touchdowns, the most scores in a season since Andre Woodson in 2007. He also rushed for 376 yards and a team-high tying nine rushing touchdowns. Levis put on a flourishing display of talent over in-state archrival Louisville, rushing 14 times for a career-high 113 yards and four rushing touchdowns. The Wildcats capped the season with an exciting win over Iowa in the Orange Bowl.
After an impressive first year with the Cats, fans had high expectations for the 2022 season. With Levis returning under center and three-year starting running back Chris Rodriguez in the backfield, it looked like Kentucky might be a disruptive force in the SEC East. After a 4-0 start, including a win over then-No. 12 Florida, the team hit a mid-season slump. Coming within one score of beating an explosive Ole Miss team, Levis, who was nursing an injured shoulder, dislocated finger and turf-toe, sat out the next game — an ugly loss to South Carolina at home. The Wildcats dropped three of their next four games, but rallied to defeat Louisville in the Governor’s Cup rivalry game. Levis finished the 2022 season completing 185 of 283 passes for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns.
He still leaves with an impressive career at Kentucky, finishing with a record of 17-7 as a starter. Overall, he completed 418 of 636 (65.7%) passes for 43 touchdowns, and racked up 11 rushing touchdowns as a Wildcat.
Levis began his career playing for Penn State. After redshirting his freshmen year, he was a backup for two seasons, completing 61 of 102 passes for 644, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 473 yards and six touchdowns.
With such high draft prospects, Levis’ departure after this season was a foregone conclusion. UK has already been eyeing new quarterback possibilities in the transfer portal to lead the team next season.