Since 2019, the Kentucky Football program has had 26 players selected in the NFL Draft. That’s the biggest run of draft picks for the school since the 1970’s. The Mark Stoops era is over in Lexington, and the Will Stein era is upon us. However, that doesn’t mean more of Stoops’ former players won’t hear their names called when the NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Most likely, there won’t be a Cat picked on night one. It’s a good bet several get called in the later rounds. Let’s show you who they are and potential landing spots with our 2026 Kentucky NFL Draft Preview.
Several Cats Look To Have Name Called
First Player Off The Board?
Many in the Big Blue Nation were surprised when Jalen Farmer declared for the draft. Had he returned to school, he was in line to be one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC. However, it looks like his decision may have been a good one. The 6′-4″, 312-pound Farmer did very well for himself at the NFL Combine. His 4.93 40-yard dash ranked fourth among all offensive guards, and he did 37 reps on the bench press. As a result, he finished as the fourth-highest rated guard with a 9.68 RAS score.
Currently, Farmer’s projections start in the third round. In fact, The Athletic has him heading to Buffalo with the 91st pick. Should that happen, he’d join a Bills squad that already has three former Wildcats. Maxwell Hairston, Deone Walker, and Ray Davis are all part of the Bills Mafia. Another projection by NFL.com has him going 94th to the Miami Dolphins.
As we continue with our 2026 Kentucky NFL Draft Preview, let’s look at more Cats who could hear their name called.
Two Skill Players
A season ago, Seth McGowan was the Wildcats’ leading rusher with 723 yards. Furthermore, his 12 touchdowns placed him fourth in the SEC. McGowan was selected to play in the Senior Bowl and led the National team with 35 yards rushing, including a game-long 30-yarder. McGowan’s showing at the combine only helped his draft status. The six-foot, 223-pounder ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, which is good for a back his size. However, it was his vertical jump that had everyone talking. In fact, he posted the second-best mark by a running back ever.
6'0", 223-pound @UKFootball RB Seth McGowan just launched for a 42.5" vertical. 👀
That's the second-best mark all-time at the Combine for the running backs.
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ItEHHVigop— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
He visited with Minnesota, and Seattle has been mentioned as a possible landing spot. As it stands right now, he’s a day three pick. NFL.com has him going to Kansas City in round six with the 210th pick. He’d be another really great tool for Patrick Mahomes. Should he get drafted, McGowan will be the fourth Wildcat running back taken in the last eight years, joining Davis, Chris Rodriguez, and Benny Snell.
Kendrick Law came to Kentucky after three years at Alabama. He finished the 2025 season with 53 catches, 25 more than the next Wildcat. In addition, he led the team with 540 yards and was second with three touchdowns. Law was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game but missed the contest due to an injury. He could make an immediate impact as a return man. The Athletic has him in the fourth to fifth round range. However, NFL.com has him going to Cincinnati in the seventh round with pick 227.
Wrapping up our 2026 Kentucky NFL Draft Preview, let’s look at two more Cats hoping to hear their name called.
One For Each Side Of The Ball
Jager Burton had an up-and-down career at Kentucky. However, athletic ability was never a question. That was put on full display during the combine. Burton was one of nine offensive linemen to run a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, clocking in with a 4.94. Furthermore, he had a broad jump of 9 feet 3 and a 28-inch vertical jump. The Cincinnati Bengals (who could use a center for the future) are a team that comes up as a possible landing spot. However, NFL.com (which is a huge fan of the Wildcat prospects) has Burton going in round six to the Washington Commanders with pick 187.
During his one season in Lexington, David Gusta didn’t have the best numbers for the Kentucky defense. Playing in 12 games, Gusta recorded 12 tackles and one sack. As we all know, the draft is all about potential, and Gusta certainly showed that at the combine. At 308 pounds, he finished fifth at his position with a 4.88 40-yard dash. Even more impressive was his 1.68 1o yard split. He backed that up by doing 37 reps in the bench press. NFL.com has him going with pick 232 in round seven to the L.A. Rams.
Final Thoughts
While the Cats won’t have anyone taken in the first round, days two and three should be very productive. Should all five Cats we profiled get selected, it would be the third time in the last six years that at least five Kentucky players were drafted. It all begins in Pittsburgh Thursday night, and we’ll be here to update things for you.
Main Image: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
