Where Wildcats stand on The Athletic’s NFL Draft big board

Fans of the Kentucky Wildcats are always locked in on the NBA Draft. It is looked at as graduation day in many ways. They know the projections, the predictions, and the new combinations of Wildcats expected on NBA teams.

But with every passing year, the NFL Draft continues to get more and more interesting in the Bluegrass State. According to The Athletic, as many as six former Wildcats could have their names called on draft day. They are all ranked on the latest big board.

• No. 40 Jamin Davis
• No. 68 Kelvin Joseph
• No. 193 Drake Jackson
• No. 243 Landon Young
• No. 283 Brandin Echols
• No. 299 Quinton Bohanna

If six players get drafted this year, it will be the most since seven players were drafted in 1979.

There are certainly several on-field accomplishments that show that Kentucky’s football program is headed in the right direction. But when you watch the NFL on Sundays and see guys like Benny Snell, Mike Edwards, and Lonnie Johnson making plays, it hits a little different.

This program is bringing in talented players AND developing them. Some programs are good at one of those things, but Mark Stoops’ program seems to be excelling in both areas. Seeing these guys kill it in the NFL helps recruiting, it motivates current players, and improves the overall brand of Kentucky football.

Get your popcorn ready, because the NFL Draft on April 29th is going to be a lot of fun this year.