Will Levis Drops Bombs, Chris Rodriguez, Carrington Valentine Impress at Kentucky Pro Day

The NFL world surrounded the city of Lexington on Friday. That's not something one may get to say very often.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky football took center stage on Friday, as the program held its 2023 NFL Pro Day.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen was having conversations with Hall of Fame head coach Pete Carroll. Todd McShay held an ESPN microphone to the mouth of Will Levis. The media pool inside Nutter Fieldhouse was...large, to say the least. 

Taking in the sights and sounds only cements just how far UK has come since Mark Stoops was brought on as head coach. Go ahead and read the previous paragraph. This is Kentucky football, we're talking about here. Not Alabama, or Georgia, or Ohio State. 

Nearly all 32 NFL teams had representatives in the building, mostly to see Levis put on a show, running through a 50-throw script in what was his final show ahead of getting drafted to the NFL on April 27. 

"Went well, a lot of fun, last time i'm going to be able to throw in a setting like that to my guys," Levis told reporters after the festivities."

From throwing pretty deep balls to discussing his dinners with the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, Levis once again took the podium and answered the questions he was asked like someone that was ready to become the face of a franchise. Maturity and leadership has never been an issue with the Penn State transfer, but from the Governor's Cup win against Louisville back in November to the end of March, there's clearly been more growth as the polarizing QB prepares for the biggest step in his football career — and his life. 

"It's crazy, I literally had a moment at dinner yesterday, it was one of those 'this is real life' moments.' I'm at the table with pretty much the whole staff — who has the No. 1 pick, because they're interested in potentially picking me," Levis said of meeting with the Panthers. "That's insane. Not a lot of people can say that."

The show wasn't all about Levis, though, as nine other former Wildcats took part in measurements and drills: 

• DB Tyrell Ajian
• P Colin Goodfellow
• LB Jacquez Jones
• OL Tashawn Manning
• RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• K Matt Ruffolo
• DB Keidron Smith
• LB DeAndre Square
• DB Carrington Valentine
• LB Jordan Wright

Rodriguez turned some heads with impressive performances on Friday, notably running an unofficial 4.52 40-yard dash. He and Valentine each looked the part of potential NFL draftees, while Square and Smith each had intriguing moments as well:

"It was good, i'm happy with the numbers," Rodriguez said. "Everyone knows I can run the ball, but a lot of people were skeptical about how fast I was ... coming out here and doing that showed that i'm not slow."

"I'm just happy for the university and for everyone else here, especially for the guys that weren't able to attend the combine, to get all these eyes on them, to make their money," Levis said. "A lot of guys did a great job and earned themselves money today, quite frankly."

When asked what an NFL team would get if they drafted Rodriguez, Levis didn't hesitate with his answer: "Dog. Just an absolute dog."

Stoops also took the podium, giving praise to his players, surely also happy to know that Friday will be the last Pro Day before Nutter Fieldhouse undergoes much-needed renovations. 

"I love these players. The former players coming back and being around our program and being around our guys and seeing them be successful and seeing the struggles that they had along the way, then come out on the other side," he said. "That’s what it’s about. Our guys that are participating here today, you know the ups and downs that they’ve had throughout their career here and preparing them for life. Things come at us all and hopefully they’ll be better prepared.”

The event also saw the return of former Wildcats. Familiar faces such as Lynn Bowden, Benny Snell and Wan'Dale Robinson have been out and about the Joe Craft Center. Stoops loves it, but always has his coach cap on and wants to see the wisdom of Cats-turned-pros wear off on some of current players.

“I can’t say enough, I’ve had a just big smile on my face all week with a lot of the former pros back, working out and hanging out with us," he said. "I love seeing them and love it when they can give back to the players and coach a little bit, just reinforce the things that we’re trying to teach.”

If you know Stoops well enough, you could probably guess that he's also itching to get back to work for his upcoming 2023 team. When asked about exposure for players like Tayvion Robinson, Barion Brown and Dane Key — all of whom caught passes for Levis — Stoops handed out perhaps the "Stoop-iest" quote of his tenure:

"Let’s not blow things up until they really produce on the field on a consistent basis. That’s where we need to take our program to another level. Listen, we’re proud of our guys, we like to promote them and all that, but let’s go put it on the field. Let’s prove it. Let’s get back to playing with a chip on our shoulder.”

Chip, meet shoulder. 

For more spring practice coverage, click HERE to learn about Jager Burton's adjustment to the center position.

Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.

Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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