Will Levis spent last season as Sean Clifford’s backup at Penn State.

This year, he’s the starting quarterback at Kentucky — and a captain.

Wildcats coach Mark Stoops announced his team’s eight captains for this season Thursday afternoon, and Levis was on the list in his first season in Lexington.

In 2020, Levis came off the bench in Clifford’s place in Week 4 and almost led the Nittany Lions to a comeback victory. Then, he started in Week 5 before Clifford stepped back into the starting spot in Week 6. At season’s end, Levis graduated and transferred to Kentucky, where he beat out Beau Allen and Joey Gatewood for the starting job.

Levis played 14 games at Penn State and ranks 10th on the Nittany Lions’ all-time rushing yards list with 473 career rushing yards. He also went 61-for-102 passing for 644 yards and three touchdowns over those two seasons.

Kentucky will take on Louisiana-Monroe to open the season on Sept. 4 at 11 a.m.