Will Levis

Will Levis Bio

William Donovan Levis (born June 27, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. The 6-foot-4, 229-pound quarterback entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2023 draft after an impressive collegiate career at Kentucky. Levis has developed into a mobile quarterback known for his strong arm and dual-threat ability. His professional journey has included moments of brilliance mixed with the typical struggles of a young quarterback learning the complexities of NFL offenses.

Early Life and Background

Levis was born on June 27, 1999, in Newton, Massachusetts, and grew up in Madison, Connecticut. He attended Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut, where he established himself as an exceptional quarterback. During his senior season, Levis set school records by throwing for 2,793 yards and 27 touchdowns, showcasing the arm strength and playmaking ability that would define his future career. His exceptional high school performance attracted attention from multiple major college programs.

Levis comes from a distinguished athletic family. His father, Mike Levis, played football at Denison University in Ohio, while his mother, Beth Kelley, was a two-time All-American soccer player at Yale University. His great-grandfather, Alva Kelley, was an All-American football player at Cornell University and later served as a head coach for three college teams. This deep roots in athletics provided Levis with both genetic advantages and a strong foundation in competitive sports culture.

Path to Professional Football

Following his standout high school career, Levis committed to Pennsylvania State University to play college football for the Nittany Lions. He enrolled in 2018 and initially redshirted his freshman season to adjust to the college level. The following two years saw him serve as a backup to starting quarterback Sean Clifford while continuing to develop his skills and understanding of Penn State’s offensive system.

Levis made his first career start against Rutgers in 2019, demonstrating his dual-threat capabilities by completing 8 of 14 passes for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception while also rushing for 108 yards. His total collegiate statistics at Penn State included 61 of 102 passing attempts for 644 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, along with 473 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Will Levis Career

College Career at Kentucky (2021-2022)

Prior to the 2021 season, Levis transferred to the University of Kentucky to continue his collegiate career. He also graduated from Penn State that May, having earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the prestigious Smeal College of Business. At Kentucky, Levis immediately earned the starting quarterback position and made an immediate impact. In his season opener, he threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns, signaling his potential as an elite-level quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.

Throughout the 2021 season, Levis started all 13 games and continued to demonstrate his growth as a player. He completed 233 of 353 passes for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding 376 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 107 carries. His most notable achievement came in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, where he led Kentucky to a victory over the No. 15 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. This performance solidified his status as a legitimate NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft.

2023 NFL Draft and Tennessee Titans

Despite initially being projected as a first-round pick with rumors suggesting he could go first overall just days before the draft, Levis experienced an unexpected fall on draft day. The Tennessee Titans ultimately traded up to select him with the 33rd overall pick in the second round. On July 23, 2023, Levis signed a four-year contract worth $9,542,165 with a $3,939,756 signing bonus, securing his place in the Titans organization.

Rookie Season (2023)

Levis began his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind starter Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis. His opportunity came on October 29, 2023, when Tannehill was sidelined with an ankle injury. Levis made his NFL debut and first start against the Atlanta Falcons, finishing with 238 passing yards and four touchdowns during a 28-23 victory. The impressive debut announced his arrival as a potential long-term solution at quarterback for the Titans.

The following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, Levis threw for 262 yards in a 20-16 road loss. After demonstrating promise despite the outcome, head coach Mike Vrabel announced on November 7, 2023, that Levis would become the starting quarterback moving forward. He continued to show flashes of brilliance, including a 327-yard performance in a comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins where he led two scoring drives in the final minutes. Levis finished his rookie year with 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games and starts.

2024 Season

With the departures of Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis, Levis entered the 2024 season as the unquestioned starting quarterback for the Titans. Mason Rudolph was named as his backup. The season began with struggles as Levis went 1-4 during his first five games while completing 86 of 125 passes for 699 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His early-season turnovers drew significant attention, including a particularly memorable moment against the Chicago Bears where he was captured on camera on his knees with his hands on his head after an interception that cost the team a fourth-quarter lead.

During a Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Levis injured his AC joint and missed subsequent playing time. Although he returned after a bye week, he aggravated the injury and sat out the next three games. Upon his return in Week 10, Levis showed marked improvement. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he threw for 295 yards and connected on a career-long 98-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, tying the franchise record for longest passing touchdown. The following week against the rival Houston Texans, he led the Titans to an upset road victory, completing 18 of 24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite these highlights, inconsistencies continued to plague his season. A rough stretch against the Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cincinnati Bengals resulted in three interceptions against the Bengals, leading to his benching for the next two games. Levis finished the 2024 season with 2,091 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for an 81.4 passer rating in 12 games and starts.

Playing Style and Strengths

Levis possesses ideal size for an NFL quarterback at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, allowing him to see over the pocket and absorb contact from defenders. His dual-threat ability adds a dimension to the Titans offense, as he demonstrated throughout his college and professional career with his rushing statistics. His arm strength allows him to make all the throws required at the NFL level, though consistency in accuracy and decision-making remains an ongoing area of development. Levis benefits from the guidance of his coaching staff and continues to work on refining his mechanics and field reading abilities.

Notable Events and Milestones

Levis made an immediate impact upon his NFL debut, throwing four touchdowns in his first start against the Atlanta Falcons. He achieved his first career 300-yard passing game during his rookie season against the Miami Dolphins and led a dramatic comeback victory. In 2024, he tied the Titans franchise record with a 98-yard touchdown pass. His journey from a projected first-round pick to second-round selection and subsequent development has made him a notable storyline in the NFL.

Will Levis Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, Levis has accumulated solid statistics across two seasons while demonstrating both promise and areas for continued growth. His professional career spans portions of three seasons, including significant playing time in 2023 and 2024.

NFL Career Highlights

In his rookie season, Levis appeared in nine games with eight starts, throwing for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. His 2024 campaign saw increased playing time with 12 starts in 12 appearances, as he completed 190 of 301 passes for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His career completion percentage stands at 61.0 percent with 21 touchdown passes against 16 interceptions. Levis has also contributed on the ground with rushing yards throughout his professional career, though those statistics are not included in his official NFL passing totals.

College Career Statistics

At Kentucky over two seasons, Levis established himself as one of the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks. He completed 233 of 353 passes for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2021 season alone, adding significant rushing contributions with 376 yards and nine touchdowns. His performance against ranked opponents, including the Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa, demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

Will Levis Family

Family Background and Athletic Lineage

Levis comes from an impressive athletic family with deep roots in collegiate sports. His father, Mike Levis, played football at Denison University, an NCAA Division III institution in Ohio. His mother, Beth Kelley, was a two-time All-American soccer player at Yale University, one of the most prestigious programs in the country. This family background provided Will with competitive genes and a strong understanding of what it takes to excel at high levels of athletics.

His great-grandfather, Alva Kelley, added to the family’s distinguished athletic legacy by becoming an All-American football player at Cornell University. Alva Kelley later transitioned to coaching, serving as a head coach for three college football programs. This multi-generational connection to football provided Levis with both inspiration and a wealth of family knowledge about the sport throughout his development.

Personal Life

Off the field, Levis is known for his business acumen, having graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He gained significant media attention during the build-up to the 2023 NFL draft for his unusual habits, most notably eating unpeeled bananas and drinking coffee mixed with mayonnaise. These quirky preferences led to a unique partnership when, on August 22, 2023, Levis announced that he had signed a lifetime supply contract with Hellmann’s mayonnaise company. In August 2024, Hellmann’s announced the creation of a limited-edition fragrance inspired by Levis called “Will Levis No. 8, Parfum de Mayonnaise,” further cementing his place in popular culture beyond football.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with uncertainty for Levis and the Titans organization. Following a disappointing 2024 campaign that resulted in a 3-14 record, the Titans held the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and selected quarterback Cam Ward. Despite this addition, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi expressed confidence in Levis’s development, stating that the young quarterback had shown good moments and would continue to develop within the organization.

However, the 2025 season took an unexpected turn when, on July 21, 2025, it was announced that Levis would require surgery on his throwing shoulder and would miss the entire season. Two days later, the Titans placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The injury marked a significant setback in Levis’s career trajectory, preventing him from competing for playing time or demonstrating further progress during the 2025 campaign. As he rehabilitation continues, Levis faces an uncertain future with the organization as Cam Ward assumes the starting quarterback role.