William Donovan 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. Levis has quickly made a name for himself in the NFL, showcasing his skills and potential as a starting quarterback.
Early Life and Background
William Donovan Levis was born on June 27, 1999, in Newton, Massachusetts. He grew up in Madison, Connecticut, where he developed an interest in football at a young age. Levis attended Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut, where he excelled as a quarterback. During his senior year, he set school records with 27 passing touchdowns and 2,793 passing yards, which helped him gain recognition as a promising athlete. After high school, Levis committed to Pennsylvania State University to further his football career.
Path to American Football
At Pennsylvania State University, Levis played from 2018 to 2020. After redshirting his first year, he served as a backup to Sean Clifford for two seasons. He made his first career start against Rutgers in 2019, completing eight of 14 passes for 81 yards, along with 108 rushing yards. Levis completed 61 of 102 passes for 644 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions during his time at Penn State. He also rushed for 473 yards and six touchdowns. In 2021, Levis transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he was named the starting quarterback. He had a standout season, throwing for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. His performance helped lead Kentucky to a victory in the 2022 Citrus Bowl against No. 15 Iowa.
William Donovan Levis Career
Early Career (2023)
Levis entered the NFL draft in 2023 and was selected by the Tennessee Titans as the 33rd overall pick in the second round. Despite being projected as a potential first-round pick, he fell to the second day of the draft. On July 23, 2023, he signed a four-year contract worth $9,542,165, which included a signing bonus of $3,939,756. Levis began the 2023 season as the third-string quarterback behind Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis.
Breakthrough (2023)
Levis made his NFL debut on October 29, 2023, when he started against the Atlanta Falcons due to an injury to Tannehill. In this game, he threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Titans to a 28–23 victory. This performance marked a significant moment in his career, showcasing his potential as a starting quarterback. The following week, he started against the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 262 yards and an interception. On November 7, 2023, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Levis would be the starting quarterback for the Titans moving forward.
Notable Works and Milestones
Levis finished his rookie season with impressive statistics, recording 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games and starts. His ability to lead the team and perform under pressure has made him a player to watch in the NFL.
William Donovan Levis Award Nominations
Throughout his early career, William Donovan Levis has not yet received any formal award nominations, as he is still establishing himself in the league.
William Donovan Levis Awards Won
As of now, William Donovan Levis has not won any awards in his professional career, but his promising performances suggest that he may achieve recognition in the future.
William Donovan Levis Family
William Donovan Levis is the son of Mike Levis and Beth Kelley. His father played football at Denison University, while his mother was a two-time All-American soccer player at Yale. Levis has a strong athletic background in his family, with his great-grandfather being an All-American football player at Cornell University.
Personal Life
Levis graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He gained media attention leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft for his unusual eating habits, including eating unpeeled bananas and drinking coffee with mayonnaise. In August 2023, he signed a lifetime supply contract with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, which further increased his visibility in the media. In August 2024, Hellmann’s announced a fragrance inspired by Levis named “Will Levis No. 8, Parfum de Mayonnaise.”
