From Mayonnaise to Surgery Concerns, Everything That Went Wrong as Will Levis Frustratingly Slides From NFL Draft Despite High Hopes

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft came with a boatload of twists and surprises. The Houston Texans surprised the entire world with back-to-back Top 3 picks after a last-minute trade with the Cardinals. Also, the wide receivers were in hot demand with 4 consecutive picks, making draft history on the way. However, what was surely the most surprising ordeal of last night’s gala at the Union Station in Kansas City was the fate of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.

Will Levis threw a total of 46 touchdowns in his two years as a Wildcat over 5,876 passing yards. Initially reported to be a Top 3 pick in the first round this year, he didn’t attract any interest on Day 1 and went undrafted on the night. So what went wrong with the Football Academic All-American of the Year?

Mayo-gate kept Levis from being drafted?

Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis had been the talk of the town in the last two months, leading up to the 88th edition of the NFL Draft. However, while the first three secured their franchise spots within the first four picks in the round, Levis did not meet the same fortune. And there were a few interesting theories that fans and experts threw around. The first and the funniest one was Levis’ love for mayonnaise.

ALSO READ: Hours Before NFL Draft, Patrick Mahomes Admirer and Potential 1st Pick Silences Critics’ Huge Concerns With a Savage Response

The Kentucky passer was spotted mixing mayonnaise with his black coffee. That seemed to be the final straw. “Will Levis eats banana peels and puts mayo in his coffee and it’s possible NFL teams just drew the line with that and said no way,” Yahoo sports columnist Dan Wetzel tweeted. The NFL world had similar reactions.

The pick-heavy passing is also a possible factor. Levis threw 13 and 10 interceptions in his final two years in Kentucky’s blue. However, besides the mayo indulgence and the interceptions, it’s the injury history that was possibly the deciding factor for this outcome.

Levis’ injury may have scared off team owners

Levis had a left toe injury that put him out of action in the final two games of the 2022 season. According to ESPN journalist Chris Mortensen, this was possibly a detrimental factor during the selection. Another team feared that the injury could suffer further aggravation, requiring surgery in 2023. Will Levis claimed that the injury has healed, but if this theory is correct, franchises don’t seem to believe him.

Levis will, in all probability, go somewhere in the second round tonight, as a backup quarterback. Some fans assumed that this turn of fortune will ignite a flame in the quarterback, leading to a comeback for the ages in the future. Much like how things unfolded for a 199th overall pick once, named Tom Brady. What do you think? Why was Levis passed up on Day 1 and what is in his NFL future?

WATCH THIS STORY: Tom Brady shares a special message for his niece as she shows off her softball skills