From now till the 2024 NFL Draft, we are going to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as attainable, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and what they will carry to an NFL franchise. These gamers might be potential top-10 picks, all the way in which all the way down to Day Three alternatives and precedence undrafted free brokers. In the present day, a scouting report on Kentucky QB Devin Leary.
#13 Devin Leary QB/Kentucky – 6’1, 213 lbs. (Senior – Grad Switch)
The Good
– Excessive soccer IQ as a passer proven with excessive degree pre-snap reads– Matured as passer since transferring from N.C State, has a superb really feel for the sport– Has an important turnover ratio over his 5 years on the collegiate degree (87 TD:28 INT), not often places his crew in shedding positions due to errant throws– Prepared to step up within the pocket and take a success whereas releasing the ball.– Persistently proven good footwork all through soccer profession– Retains eyes downfield and gained’t hand over on a play till he is aware of there is no such thing as a one open– By no means see him fading off his again foot when throwing, getting physique behind the ball to drive it down the sector and to boundaries– Extraordinarily fast launch, decisive together with his throws.– Reveals plus ball placement– Throws with anticipation on screens and brief routes, able to thriving in play action-based system with a superb run sport– True skilled on the subject of the sport and well-liked in locker rooms, seems to be revered by coaches and teammates
The Dangerous
– Not an important arm which causes him to push the ball downfield– Most deep balls find yourself “floating” to the receiver giving defensive backs time to make up floor or balls that must be accomplished, find yourself going out of bounds– Sturdiness main concern, two season-ending accidents in span of three years– Lacks preferrred dimension, body might not maintain up over time together with his model of play– Liable to holding onto the ball too lengthy leading to both a sack or a whole lot of large hits. (25 sacks in 2021, 22 sacks in 2023– Ball placement at intermediate degree previous the hashes and deep routes turns into shaky, results in a whole lot of batted balls on performs the place receiver is open– By no means absolutely recovered degree of play after stellar 2021 season, hindered by accidents– Ceiling may be maxed out resulting from body and arm expertise
Bio
– 24 years previous, turns 25 in September– Pure left hander however throws right-handed due to baseball rising up, he used his brother’s basketball glove, and he was right-handed– Devin’s brother Donavan can also be a quarterback for the College of Illinois in his redshirt freshman season.– Completed highschool profession as New Jersey’s all-time chief in passing yards and touchdowns– 4-star recruit and two-time Gatorade Participant of the Yr in New Jersey– From Timber Creek HS in Sicklerville– Initially dedicated to N.C state, performed 4 years there earlier than coming into switch portal, attended Kentucky for last 12 months as grad switch– Entered 2020 as starter (890 yds. 8 TD’s 2 INT’s 80.5 QBR) however fractured his fibula 5 video games within the 2020 season and didn’t play remainder of the 12 months– Began in 30 video games at N.C state and went 17-9 whereas placing up robust numbers as a full-time starter in 2021 (3,433 yds. 35 TD’s 5 INT’s 71.9 QBR) and in 2022 (1,265 yds. 11 TD’s 4 INT’s 55.3 QBR)– Tore pectoral muscle in 2022, missed remainder of– Holds college document for many touchdowns in a season at N.C state breaking Phillip Rivers’ 2003 mark– 2022 stats at Kentucky: 2,746 yards, 56.3 completion proportion, 25 TDs, 12 INT– Named a captain his lone 12 months at Kentucky, two-time captain at N.C State– Semifinalist for 2023 Comeback Participant of the Yr Award
Tape Breakdown
Earlier than his harm, Devin Leary was an ascending title within the 2024 QB class however two main accidents have modified the trajectory of his profession. A prime quarterback recruit popping out of New Jersey, he had grow to be a family title at N.C State after his stellar efficiency in his junior season. After his switch to Kentucky, he did rebound and had a stable season however by no means made it again to his pre-injury curiosity on the subsequent degree.
Devin is a real sport supervisor with upside as a low turnover/excessive effectivity quarterback. He has a willingness to step-up within the pocket and ship irrespective of who’s coming at him. Whereas he’s undersized, it’s a fascinating trait to have on the subsequent degree due to the power to increase performs and hold his eyes downfield. Right here in opposition to Louisville, a prime 10 crew on the time, he exhibits nice poise by taking a success whereas making an important anticipation throw to the TE for a vital first down.
Whereas arm energy is a priority, he is aware of this himself this and at all times steps into his throws, permitting extra velocity on the ball. This enables him the power to layers his balls into the second and third degree contained in the hashes. As soon as he begins to go outdoors the hashes on vertical routes is the place he can let the ball float to receivers even when they’ve a step on their defender. As soon as once more, a ball that’s thrown fairly effectively contemplating the stress he’s up in opposition to. The two examples under present the distinction of this:
Once more, in one other sport in opposition to Vanderbilt, one other receiver is broad open down the sideline however the ball floats to far in direction of the sideline making the receiver run out and never full the catch. Whereas it’s not a horrible ball, when transferring to the following degree it won’t get significantly better there:
Within the sport in opposition to Louisville, he performed as much as par with 3 TD’s and 1 INT and led his crew to a stunning win. It speaks to his potential to at all times hold his crew within the sport and was a real chief within the Kentucky locker room. Right here he exhibits the place he can thrive on the subsequent degree, in a heavy play-action system. In different clips take note of his potential to make performs on comparable play calls. He is an effective vendor of the run and goes by means of his development rapidly and makes use of his eyes to look the protection off to offer his working again a 1-on-1 matchup.
Leary just isn’t good on his ft both, whereas within the pocket his footwork is nice, as soon as out of the pocket he doesn’t have a lot potential to be a risk together with his legs. Over his 5 12 months profession he solely had 6 speeding TD’s and has damaging yards as a runner. He can solely be anticipated to realize minimal yardage which additionally doesn’t assist his upside on the subsequent degree.
Conclusion
Over the whole thing of movie watched Leary is a educated and mature quarterback with an excellent pocket presence, with the power to make exact and clear throws underneath 20 yards. He throws with good anticipation at any degree and thrives in opposition to zone and tender man coverages. He has a stable base set of traits and instruments to work with apart from an enormous arm which can provide him the power to stay within the league if he retains up together with his tendency of holding turnovers down.
I’m not certain there may be rather more upside left in him and can want a system constructed round his particular expertise if he’s ever to start out within the league. His physique will at all times be his largest hurdle to climb in each harm prevention and body relative with the sort to model he likes to play.
Projection: Late Day 3Depot Draft Grade: 6.4 – Finish of Roster/Observe Squad (Sixth-Seventh spherical)Video games Watched: vs Texas Tech (2022), vs Vanderbilt (2023), vs Louisville (2023)
