The Tennessee Titans stunned their fan base with quite the controversial move when they traded up in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft to select Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.
It’s controversial because the vast majority of fans hate the pick after months of not wanting Levis on the Titans for various reasons.
Regardless, now those same fans have no choice but to root for his success.
Following his being drafted, Levis got on a Zoom call with the media and talked about his Day 1 slide that led to his landing in Tennessee.
“I stayed positive, and I knew what was meant to be, was going to happen,” Levis said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “When I saw (the Titans) traded up for me, that alone was telling me that they wanted me, they wanted this to happen. I am really, really excited and thankful for the opportunity.”
Now, a look at what else Levis talked about on Friday night.
On the moment he got the call
“It was so funny. I was starving, I got home, put the bags down, went to get some food, and as I was stuffing my face, I got the call. I was ecstatic to get the call,” Levis said. “It was bang-bang-bang.”
“I knew I was going to cry, and the tears came immediately,” he added. “I didn’t really know how the conversation was going to go – it’s one of those things where you feel like you’re going to handle yourself and be composed, but the waterworks started flowing and the emotions overwhelmed me.”
On having a chip on his shoulder
“Regardless of where I got picked, I feel like it’s not going to change my work ethic,” Levis said. “You can’t let the circumstances dictate your preparation, and the level of intensity you bring to your everyday practice. Definitely a little bit of a chip … I ended up where I was supposed to be, and I am just looking forward to competing and getting started.”
On Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis
“I know I’m going in there as last on the depth chart, and I’ve got to earn every rep I get,” Levis said. “So I’m not even thinking about starting right away. I’m just thinking about the process and working hard every day to try and earn that opportunity.”
Levis on competing with Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis: "I just want to be a great teammate to them and be a great teammate to everyone else on the team, while competing at the same time."
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) April 29, 2023
On Colts' Richardson, Texans' Stroud
“Those are my guys (Stroud and Richardson). I wish them the best. I was extremely happy to see them go where they did, and as long as they’re not playing me, I wish them the best,” Levis said.
On putting mayo in his coffee
Levis says he doesn't actually mayo in his coffee.
"It was a stupid thing I did that I thought was funny," he said. "I don't actually do it."
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) April 29, 2023
On the draft process
Will Levis said the whole draft process has been a test. #Titans pic.twitter.com/OtuLHBSdhU
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 29, 2023
On the carryover between offenses
Levis: There's a lot of carryover between the offense Kentucky and concepts he'll be asked to run here in Tennessee pic.twitter.com/0800BrKXjL
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 29, 2023
On his accuracy and decision-making
Levis on his accuracy and his decision making: Confident. I feel that accuracy and decision making are a part of my strengths
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 29, 2023
On his 2022 toe injury
Will Levis says his toe "feels great." Since late January, says he's felt 100%. Mentions that it was a pain in the butt this past season, impacted his play in the second half of the 2022 campaign. #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) April 29, 2023
On his pre-draft meeting with the Titans
Will Levis said he did have a great meeting with #Titans. Allowed himself to feel good about them. pic.twitter.com/Tv4jwvApFy
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 29, 2023