Colts former starting quarterback and Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Could Hall of Fame QB influence Colts' first-round selection?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 4/25/23

Could former Colts QB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning help determine who Indianapolis selects at No. 4 overall in the NFL Draft?

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Kentucky QB Will Levis has impressed Manning and his brother, former Giants QB Eli Manning.

"I heard he made a very positive impression with the Manning brothers at their passing academy last summer, and, obviously, owner Jim Irsay still listens to Peyton on these things," Breer wrote.

Peyton Manning also gave the 23-year-old QB a resounding vote of confidence.

"I think this guy might have been genetically engineered to be an NFL quarterback," he recently said on ESPN's "On The Clock" after watching Levis' film.

Levis has prototypical NFL QB size (6-foot-4 and 229 pounds) and a rocket arm, but he needs refinement.

A sample of @will_levis' arm strength! #NFLDraft incoming. pic.twitter.com/koFvSAmsAn
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) April 24, 2023

"Levis offers an undeniably compelling package of skills to work with, but he isn't a finished project," wrote Fox Sports draft analyst Rob Rang, who ranked Levis as his fourth-best QB in the draft.

In two seasons at Kentucky, Levis threw 23 interceptions in 24 games. Per Pro Football Focus, his turnover-worthy play rate was 3.6 percent, tied for 98th in the FBS.

Levis led Kentucky to a rare 10-win season and a bowl win in 2021.

Since Manning digs Levis' upside, don't be surprised if the Colts take him in the first round Thursday.

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