Kentucky's Devin Leary is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Leary was electric for the Wildcats as a senior in 2023, throwing for 25 touchdowns. Leary has continued to showcase himself impressively throughout the pre-draft process by enjoying a strong throwing session at the NFL Combine.
Leary recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his performance and experience at the NFL Combine, the electric numbers he put up at Kentucky, his decision to transfer away from NC State, and a whole lot more.
JM: You had a great season at Kentucky in 2023. You threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. How do you reflect on your lone campaign at Kentucky?
Devin Leary: It was an awesome experience. I transferred to Kentucky after I graduated from NC State. I was still injured when I decided to transfer. You can say that I had to take a leap of faith. I went to a new team. I had to earn the respect of the guys in the locker room.
I found myself in a brand new system. We ran some offensive concepts that I hadn’t done much of at NC State. It was a pro-style offense. Overall, I felt like it was a very productive season. I wish we won more games, but I’m happy and thankful with how the year ultimately played out.
JM: It must have felt especially rewarding after the injury-shortened 2022. What did that rehab process teach you about adversity?
Devin Leary: No matter how many times I get knocked down, I’m going to get back up. That’s how I’ve lived my entire life. I’m a byproduct of my college football career. I went through another fairly severe injury in 2020 as well. I responded well to that adversity in 2021. It was nothing new to me.
Football is all about adversity. I’m prepared to face more adversity throughout the rest of my journey. There’s always going to be something you have to overcome. Being able to chip away and take things for what they are is crucial to the process. I’m going to continue getting better at dealing with adversity.
JM: I thought you looked really good throwing the ball at the NFL Combine. I honestly thought you were the most impressive quarterback throughout the on-field drills. Have you been receiving great feedback from teams since then?
Devin Leary: First and foremost, thank you for saying that. I definitely have been receiving good feedback. I went into the NFL Combine with some momentum after enjoying a good performance at the East-West Shrine. I was definitely on the radar of several NFL teams.
I’ve been in constant communication with multiple teams. Throwing the football well at the combine while matching performances with many of the top-ranked quarterbacks was a positive development for me. My pre-draft stock has definitely improved as a result. I’ve been hearing from a bunch of teams pretty consistently. I’ve also been in contact with teams I didn’t necessarily speak with before the combine. It’s been a cool experience. My hard work is being rewarded.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. You briefly touched on the offenses at Kentucky and NC State being so different conceptually. How do you think playing in those offenses helped prepare you for the next level?
Devin Leary: The experiences were so different that it helped me tremendously. It exposed me to different concepts and systems. I know I can draw from those experiences somewhere down the line.
I’m hopping on Zoom calls and meeting with different teams. We’re going through film review. That Kentucky offense I just played in, the terminology, play-action, the way we operated, the footwork that was required, it was so different from what I did at NC State. Kentucky runs an offense that’s very similar to certain NFL systems. It stems from the Sean McVay system. That system in general is scattered all over the NFL right now.
My ability to reiterate my knowledge of that offense on Zoom calls with NFL teams has been helpful to me. We’re talking about how I operated that offense and how I understood the system. It’s really going to help me at the next level.
JM: What were some of the responsibilities you held at the line of scrimmage at Kentucky in that pro-style system?
Devin Leary: I had various responsibilities. When it came to setting the protection, our center would initially spot the protection. I then had the ability to override it if I saw something different or if there was a pressure coming the other way. I flipped the protection as required.
We ran an alert system where I would receive two play calls in the huddle. Every play that we had was reiterated by me in the huddle. We were a huddle system. It was really on me if we had two plays. Whether it was an alert for a protection or an audible to a different play altogether, everything was on my plate to make sure I got us in the right look.
JM: So as a quarterback that had a lot of freedom within the offense, how do you balance being aggressive with taking what the defense gives you?
Devin Leary: That’s an awesome question by the way. I think it’s all about down and distance and situational awareness. What your film study told you about the defense going into that game really matters. Your film study should tell you just how aggressive you can be.
Sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you. There’s a balance that you need to have a plan for on a weekly basis. For me, I’ve always banked on taking what they give you. Live to fight another down. In college football and in the NFL, possessions are so valuable. You can’t waste possessions by being overly aggressive. That eventually puts your team in a bad spot.
It all depends on situational football and the opponent. I probably bank on taking what they give me until that moment arrives to be aggressive. You have to find the right moment to take that shot play.
JM: That’s an outstanding answer. With the NFL Combine now in our rearview mirror, you’ve alluded to having some upcoming visits with teams.
Devin Leary: Between the NFL Combine and the East-West Shrine Bowl, I believe I’ve met with all 32 teams. I’ve also been doing follow-up virtual visits where we’re going through my film and the offense at Kentucky. I have a few more Zoom visits lined up. I look forward to taking some in-person Top 30 visits as well.
JM: I’ve really appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Devin Leary going to make at the next level?
Devin Leary: I’m going to work my tail off at the next level. Nobody within our locker room or organization will ever have to question my love or desire for the game. I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win games.
I’m extremely competitive. I’m a gunslinger in a sense because I have the arm talent to be one. Overall, I’m somebody that loves this game who really embodies what playing this position is all about.
I’ve been through adversity. I know I will bring a ton of value to my team at the next level.
