Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
Size:
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 215 pounds
Arm Length: 31”
Hand Size: 10”
Accomplishments:
Davey O’Brien Watch List (2023) • Johnny Unitas Golden Arm List (2023) • ACC Preseason Player of the Year (2022)
“Devin Leary is an above-average quarterback prospect with average overall arm strength, accuracy, and touch. But he has the ability to win both in and out of structure and the athleticism to pick up yards as a runner. He projects as a quality backup in the NFL.”
Strengths:
Pocket creativity
Short and intermediate accuracy
Toughness
Concerns:
Arm strength
Touch
Elongated delivery
Film Analysis:
Kentucky’s Devin Leary is an experienced signal-caller who has had a long journey to now being a hopeful NFL prospect. Leary started his career at North Carolina State, where he enjoyed a successful couple of years highlighted by his 2021 sophomore season in which he jumped on the NFL scouts’ radars. After his 2021 season, there was hope that Leary could cement himself as a top NFL prospect but his 2022 season was marred with inconsistent play and an injury that would ultimately cut his season short. He elected to transfer to Kentucky for his final season and while he was able to stay healthy, he still couldn’t live up to the lofty expectations that he set for himself following his 2021 season.
Leary has just average size and arm talent but is an above-average overall athlete. Leary has played in multiple systems and there is little doubt that he has the IQ to adapt to whatever offense that drafts him. He displays very good awareness and recognition pre-snap and consistently gets his offense in the right call. He is a right-handed quarterback who has a long throwing motion and a slow release. He must clean up his release and quicken his process from the time he catches the ball to the time he throws it. Leary has an above-average arm and has enough zip to drive the ball in the short and intermediate areas of the field but his ball will begin to die out the further it goes down the field. He has good accuracy for underneath routes but his down-the-field accuracy and touch leave a lot to be desired.
He makes quick and decisive decisions and takes good care of the football. He is very good at keeping calm in the pocket when things are muddy around him, has a good feel for pressure, and knows when to get rid of the football. Leary is a good athlete who can use his legs to both extend plays in the pocket and also pick up yards as a runner.
Overall, Leary’s lack of development in his later years is a big reason for concern and his lengthy medical history will give teams pause. He has good intangibles, toughness, and enough natural arm talent to warrant a day-three pick, which gives him a chance to compete as a backup at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Brentley Weissman
Exposures: Clemson (2023), Louisville (2023), Missouri (2023)
