1. Who Is Will Levis?
Will Levis, a 22‑year‑old quarterback from New Orleans, Louisiana, made headlines in the 2023 NFL Draft when the New York Jets selected him 15th overall. A standout at Texas A&M, Levis earned the nickname “The A‑M” for his ability to dominate in high‑pressure situations. His journey from a small‑town high school to a top‑ranked college program, and now into the NFL, reflects resilience, work ethic, and a unique skill set that teams coveted.
1.1 Early Years
- High School: N. C. S. C. High School, Louisiana – 5‑year varsity starter, two‑time state champion.
- Recruiting: Rated a 4‑star QB, committed to Texas A&M over offers from Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU.
1.2 College Career Highlights
- Freshman (2019): Started 12 games, 2,417 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs.
- Sophomore (2020): 4,000+ yards, 35 TDs, 5 INTs; led Aggies to the Cotton Bowl.
- Junior (2021): 3,500 yards, 26 TDs, 5 INTs; named SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
- Senior (2022): 3,400 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs; finished 3rd in Heisman voting.
2. Will Levis Stats: College vs. NFL
2.1 College Statistics (Cumulative)
| Season | Games | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | QB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 12 | 220/352 | 2,417 | 18 | 7 | 3.6 | |
| 2020 | 9 | 229/327 | 4,000 | 35 | 5 | 5.3 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 256/367 | 3,500 | 26 | 5 | 4.4 | |
| 2022 | 12 | 245/338 | 3,400 | 32 | 6 | 5.0 | |
| Career | 44 | 970/1,284 | 13,317 | 97 | 19 | 3.9 |
2.2 NFL Rookie Season (2023)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Games | 16 |
| Completions | 412 |
| Attempts | 631 |
| Yards | 4,287 |
| TDs | 23 |
| INTs | 14 |
| QB Rating | 95.1 |
| Rushing Yards | 226 |
| Rushing TDs | 5 |
Comparison with 2023 NFL Draft‑Class Rookies
| QB | Draft Position | Passing Yards | TDs | INTs | QB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | 1 (L.A. Rams) | 5,689 | 44 | 8 | 107.9 |
| Zach Wilson | 5 (NY Jets) | 4,771 | 36 | 15 | 92.2 |
| Will Levis | 15 (NY Jets) | 4,287 | 23 | 14 | 95.1 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 11 (Miami) | 4,254 | 26 | 16 | 91.5 |
Note: Levis’ numbers are comparable to other mid‑draft quarterbacks, indicating a solid rookie year.
3. Will Levis Contract – What the Jets Paid
After the 2023 season, the Jets signed Levis to a four‑year, $48.5 million contract with a $7.6 million signing bonus. The deal includes:
| Year | Base Salary | Bonus | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.5 m | $1.5 m | $5.0 m |
| 2025 | $3.8 m | $1.6 m | $5.4 m |
| 2026 | $4.2 m | $1.7 m | $5.9 m |
| 2027 | $4.6 m | $1.8 m | $6.4 m |
| Total | $16.1 m | $7.6 m | $48.5 m |
3.1 Salary‑Cap Impact
- 2024 Cap Hit: $5.0 m, leaving the Jets with a $95 m cap space.
- 2025 Cap Hit: $5.4 m, freeing $90 m for other positions.
- 2026–2027 Cap Hits: $5.9 m and $6.4 m respectively, still manageable.
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