After a historic football season, many Kentucky Wildcats are turning their attention toward the NFL Draft. In fact, there is a chance that this group could break the record for former Wildcats being selected during the draft. The current leader is the 1951 group that saw nine players drafted.
In Mel Kiper’s most recent big board, not only is he continuing to give Josh Allen lots of love, but he has a few other Wildcats’ stock on the rise as well.
Allen is listed as the No. 3 overall prospect on the board, although he believes he could go earlier due to the need for for edge rushers by every team at the top of the draft. Allen is also listed as the No. 1 outside linebacker heading into the draft, while the other notable edge player, Nick Bosa, is listed as a defensive end.
“I pegged Allen before the season as a potential Day 2 pick after he broke out in 2017 with seven sacks, 66 tackles and one interception,” Kiper wrote. “But then he went and had 17 sacks -- with five forced fumbles -- and was dominant last season. I had him all the way up to No. 2 to the 49ers in my first and second mock drafts. Allen is disruptive, and he has the length that NFL teams love in a 3-4 outside linebacker.”
However, Kiper mentioned a couple of other Kentucky players in his discussion as well. In fact, both Benny Snell and Lonnie Johnson have cracked the top ten list at each of their prospective positions. It would also not be a surprise to see them move up after the NFL Combine.
Running Backs
1. Josh Jacobs, Alabama
2. Damien Harris, Alabama
3. Darrell Henderson, Memphis
4. Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic
5. David Montgomery, Iowa State
6. Bryce Love, Stanford
7. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
8. Elijah Holyfield, Georgia
9. Miles Sanders, Penn State
10. Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
Cornerbacks
1. Greedy Williams, LSU
2. Deandre Baker, Georgia
3. Byron Murphy, Washington
4. Julian Love, Notre Dame
5. Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
6. Lonnie Johnson Jr., Kentucky
7. Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
8. Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
9. Justin Layne, Michigan State
10. Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
Lonnie Johnson has publicly pronounced his belief that he is the top cornerback in the draft, and we know that Benny Snell does not lack in the area of confidence. If these guys have proven anything at Kentucky, it is that anyone that underestimates them is making a grave mistake.
Where do you see these Wildcats landing in the draft in April?