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Kentucky football: Devin Leary snubbed from preseason All-SEC teams

By Mat Mlodzinski

Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary passed the ball during drills as the Wildcats practiced at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility on Tuesday morning in Lexington, Ky. Mar. 21, 2023Jf Uk Spring Practice Aj4t9969
Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary passed the ball during drills as the Wildcats practiced at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility on Tuesday morning in Lexington, Ky. Mar. 21, 2023Jf Uk Spring Practice Aj4t9969 /
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Kentucky football quarterback Devin Leary didn’t make any of the three All-SEC teams, which was nothing short of disrespect for the talented transfer.

Leary, who threw for over 3,400 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2021 with NC State, was only named an honorable mention, albeit against stiff competition. ACC QBs that were named to higher teams that year included Brennan Armstrong, Sam Hartman, and Kenny Pickett.

Leary missed most of 2022 with a pectoral injury but has been practicing with the Wildcats, recovered, during the offseason.

In a conference as competitive as the SEC, players will always be snubbed from preseason lists. However, it seems foolish to leave off a guy like Kentucky football QB Devin Leary, who has plenty to back it up.

Arguably his biggest case is how well Leary was playing before his injury. While his play had fallen back compared to his junior season, Leary still managed to throw for 11 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions with more than 1,200 passing yards in 6 games played.

Clearly, Leary was far from a one-hit-wonder and now joins a Kentucky football team with as many experienced wide receivers as any team in the country. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily weigh into where Leary falls on the preseason All-SEC team, but it does show that with his skillsets, a record-breaking season could be in store.

It’s also important to note the quarterbacks that made it over Leary. On the first team is LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson made the second team. Joe Milton III and Will Rogers tied for the third team.

For me, Milton is the most head-scratching choice. Despite throwing 10 TDs to 0 INTs in relief of Hendon Hooker last year, he’s never been a full-time starter. If you’re unsure about how Leary will come back from his injury, the same thought process should be the same for Milton.

We should remember that a preseason list is nothing more than hype, and in the end, it could serve as motivation for Leary to perform even better.

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