Will Levis Bio
William Donovan Levis (LEV-is; born June 27, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and Kentucky Wildcats before being selected by the Titans in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 229 pounds, Levis is known for his strong arm and aggressive playing style. He currently wears jersey number 8 for the Titans and signed a four-year contract with the franchise after being drafted 33rd overall.
Before turning professional, Levis developed into one of the most talked-about quarterback prospects in college football. His journey from a New England upbringing to NFL starter shaped a playing career defined by both raw talent and ongoing development.
Early Life and Background
Will Levis was born on June 27, 1999, in Newton, Massachusetts, and grew up in Madison, Connecticut. He comes from an accomplished athletic family. His father, Mike Levis, played football at Denison University, an NCAA Division III program in Ohio. His mother, Beth Kelley, was a two-time All-American soccer player at Yale, giving Will a deep connection to competitive sports from an early age.
The family athletic tradition runs even deeper. Levis’ great-grandfather, Alva Kelley, was an All-American football player at Cornell University and later served as head coach for three college teams. Levis attended Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut, where he set school records as a senior with 27 passing touchdowns and 2,793 passing yards, signaling his potential as a future college and professional quarterback.
Following his standout high school career, Levis committed to Pennsylvania State University to play college football. He graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance, balancing his academic pursuits with a demanding athletic schedule.
Path to American Football
Levis began his college career at Penn State, where he attended from 2018 to 2020. After redshirting his first year, he spent the next two seasons as Sean Clifford’s backup. During that time, he made his first career start against Rutgers in 2019, completing eight of 14 passes for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also rushing for 108 yards. Across his Penn State career, Levis completed 61 of 102 passes for 644 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding 473 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
After graduating in May 2021 with his finance degree, Levis transferred to the University of Kentucky. He was named the starter to open the season and impressed in his first start, throwing for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Across his Kentucky career, Levis started all 13 games, completing 233 of 353 passes for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdown passes while running for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. He led the Wildcats to a victory over No. 15 Iowa in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, cementing his reputation as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Will Levis Career
Early Career (2023)
Despite initial projections as a first-round pick, with some rumors even placing him as a possible first overall selection days before the 2023 NFL draft, Levis surprisingly fell to the second day. The Tennessee Titans traded up to select him with the 33rd overall pick in the second round. On July 23, 2023, Levis signed a four-year, $9,542,165 contract that included a $3,939,756 signing bonus.
He began his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind starter Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis. On October 29, 2023, with Tannehill sidelined by an ankle injury, Levis made his NFL debut and first start, finishing with 238 passing yards and four touchdowns during a 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The following week, he threw for 262 yards in a 20-16 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On November 7, 2023, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Levis would be the starting quarterback for the Titans moving forward. He finished his rookie year with 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games and starts.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2024)
Levis became the Titans’ starting quarterback in 2024 following the departures of Tannehill and Willis, with newly signed Mason Rudolph named as backup. He began the season with a rocky stretch, going 1-4 in his first five games while completing 86 of 125 passes for 699 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Levis led the league in total turnovers during that period, including one viral moment when he was seen on his knees with his hands on his head after an interception against the Chicago Bears in the season opener.
During a Week 4 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Levis injured his AC joint and was relieved by Rudolph. After missing time and returning, he re-aggravated the injury and was sidelined for three more games. He came back in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers and then had a stronger showing against the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 295 yards and a career-high 98-yard touchdown to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, tying the franchise record for longest passing touchdown. He led the Titans to a 32-27 upset road victory over the rival Houston Texans, completing 18 of 24 passes for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Levis finished his second professional season with 2,091 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for an 81.4 passer rating in 12 games and starts.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025)
Due to the Titans’ 3-14 record in 2024, the team held the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi expressed confidence in Levis’ continued development. Despite that vote of confidence, the Titans drafted Cam Ward first overall, signaling a shift at the quarterback position.
On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Levis would have surgery on his throwing shoulder and would miss the entire 2025 season. Two days later, Levis was placed on season-ending injured reserve. His career NFL statistics through the 2024 season included 556 passing attempts, 339 completions, a 61.0% completion percentage, 21 touchdowns against 16 interceptions, 3,899 passing yards, and an 82.7 passer rating.
Driving Style and Strengths
Will Levis is recognized for his strong arm, poise in the pocket, and ability to extend plays with his legs. His track-type strengths include deep throws down the sideline and aggressive shots into tight windows, paired with a willingness to push the ball vertically. His rushing background adds another dimension, allowing him to convert third downs and pick up yards after designed runs or broken plays. He relies on a confident, attack-oriented approach and has worked closely with his quarterbacks coach and offensive staff to refine his pre-snap reads and decision-making.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Levis’ career came during the 2024 season, when he threw a 98-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine against the Minnesota Vikings, tying the franchise record for longest passing touchdown. Another defining moment was his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, where he delivered four touchdown passes in a winning effort. His viral reaction after an interception against the Chicago Bears also became a memorable talking point during his second season.
Will Levis Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Will Levis has collected key victories across his starts with the Tennessee Titans. His most notable early win came in his debut against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, where he threw four touchdowns. In 2024, he added wins against the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans, including a 32-27 upset road victory over the Texans where he completed 18 of 24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
Levis’ Titans tenure has been marked by flashes of high-level quarterback play. He earned his first career 300-yard passing game in a comeback win over the Miami Dolphins during the 2023 season, throwing for 327 yards and a touchdown while leading two late scoring drives. His 98-yard touchdown pass against the Vikings stands as one of the longest passing plays in Titans history, tied for the franchise record.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Levis’ college career at Kentucky featured a marquee bowl victory over No. 15 Iowa in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, capping his Wildcats tenure with a signature performance. His combined college totals at Penn State and Kentucky included 294 of 455 passing completions for 3,471 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air, alongside 849 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
Will Levis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Will Levis comes from a multi-generational athletic family with deep roots in competitive sports. His father, Mike Levis, played football at Denison University, while his mother, Beth Kelley, was a two-time All-American soccer player at Yale. His great-grandfather, Alva Kelley, was an All-American football player at Cornell University who later served as a college head coach for three programs.
Personal Life
Levis graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He gained significant media attention in the lead-up to the 2023 NFL draft for his unusual eating and drinking habits, most notably eating unpeeled bananas and drinking coffee with mayonnaise. On August 22, 2023, Levis announced that he had signed a lifetime supply contract with Hellmann’s mayonnaise. In August 2024, Hellmann’s announced that it was creating a fragrance inspired by Levis named “Will Levis No. 8, Parfum de Mayonnaise.”
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined by an injury setback for Will Levis. After the Titans selected Cam Ward first overall in the 2025 NFL draft, the organization moved forward with a new quarterback plan. On July 21, 2025, Levis was announced to need surgery on his throwing shoulder, and he was placed on season-ending injured reserve two days later, ruling him out for the entire 2025 campaign.
Heading into the offseason, general manager Mike Borgonzi had expressed confidence in Levis’ continued development, describing him as a young quarterback with good moments who was still growing. With the Titans pivoting to Ward, Levis’ role within the franchise shifted as he focused on rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
Looking beyond 2025, Levis remains under contract with the Titans through the 2027 season, giving the organization time to evaluate his recovery and future role. His next opportunity to return to the field will depend on his rehabilitation progress and any further decisions by the Titans’ front office and coaching staff.
