Another Good Weekend For The Cats
Over the last five years, the Kentucky football team has had 22 players chosen in the NFL Draft. That comes on the heels of no one being selected in 2017-2018. This past weekend’s festivities saw four more Wildcats picked. Let’s talk about who went where with our 2024 Kentucky NFL Draft Recap. In addition, we’ll look at a number of Cats who signed free agent deals.
Heading To The Big Apple
No Wildcats were expected to go in the first round this year, and that’s exactly what happened. In our NFL Draft Preview, we said it was possible to see some former Cats go in the second round. However, it took until round three on Friday before two defensive stars finally came off the board.
With the 70th pick the New York Giants selected cornerback Andru Phillips. When he declared for the draft it surprised a number of experts. In his final year in Lexington Phillips was seventh on the team with 47 tackles including 1.5 for a loss. However, he had a great Senior Bowl along with a strong NFL Combine. As a result, Phillips became a coveted pick.
Phillips is the fourth cornerback chosen since Brad White became defensive coordinator in 2019. Furthermore, he’s the second straight pick for defensive backs coach Chris Collins. Kentucky is building a reputation as a defensive back school.
In defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s scheme Phillips is a great fit in zone coverage. He can play either inside or outside. Furthermore, he and another Giants’ pick Cooper DeJean should be important pieces of a rebuild.
Star In The Making?
Two picks after Phillips went off the board linebacker Trevin Wallace was selected by the Carolina Panthers. The Georgia native declared for the draft after three great seasons in Lexington. A letter winner each year, Wallace played in 36 games with 19 starts. A season ago he finished second on the team with 80 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. During his Kentucky career, he made 166 tackles with 18 for a loss. He also had 10 sacks and three interceptions.
Carolina Selects LB Trevin Wallace 72nd Overall
🔵 1 TD Allowed in Coverage in Career (606 Coverage Snaps) pic.twitter.com/dg6rSSOneQ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 27, 2024
Wallace is coming into a good situation in Carolina where he won’t be expected to play from day one. The Panthers have Shaq Thompson, who is starting his tenth season and could be on the downhill part of his career. In addition, they signed Denver free agent Josey Jewell to a three-year- 22.5 million contract. Look for Wallace to get a year learning the system before making a big splash in year two.
Continuing on with our 2024 Kentucky NFL Draft Recap let’s look at the two players picked from the other side of the ball.
Instant Impact Player
The first offensive player taken off the board was Ray Davis to the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round with pick 128. Davis made his one year at Kentucky memorable with 1,129 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 323 yards and seven scores. His 21 total touchdowns set a single-season school record.
Davis is heading into a good spot for a Buffalo team that has made five straight playoffs. James Cook is the number one guy in the backfield. However, Damien Harris retired and Latavious Murray is a free agent. That means the Bills need a solid backup to Cook and Davis fits that bill. A very productive rookie season is there for the taking.
The final Wildcat taken in the 2024 NFL Draft was quarterback Devin Leary. While his time at UK didn’t quite go as hoped, he had a great showing at the combine. As a result the Baltimore Ravens chose Leary in the sixth round with the 218th pick. This puts Leary as a potential backup to Lamar Jackson. In a fun bit of irony, you have Kentucky and Louisville quarterbacks on the same team. That’s believed to be a first in history.
The Wildcats went 14 years without having a quarterback drafted. Now they’ve had two in two years. Of course, Will Levis went to Tennessee last year now Leary.
As we wrap up our 2024 Kentucky NFL Draft Recap let’s look at where some other Wildcats are starting their careers.
Looking To Make The Rosters
Three other Kentucky players were signed to NFL rosters as undrafted free agents. Tayvion Robinson, a player we thought could go late, is reunited with Leary in Baltimore. Offensive lineman Jeremy Flax signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings and tight end Brenden Bates is off to Chicago. On the heels of a very good pro day Bates had several offers before choosing the Bears. He could become a favorite target of new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.
Another offensive lineman Kenneth Horsey received rookie camp invites from both the New York Jets and Washington Commanders.
Final Thoughts
All in all it was another really good weekend for the Kentucky football program with four players selected. It’s the fourth straight year and fifth of the last six they’ve had at least three guys selected. From 2002 to 2018 it only happened three times. Again it shows what Mark Stoops has been able to do with this program.
Thanks for checking out our 2024 Kentucky NFL Recap here at Last Word On College Football. Next time out we’ll look at some players who may be selected next year.
