LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky football program has gone consecutive years without a NFL draft pick for the first time since 2006-07.
Following the decisions of junior defenders Josh Allen and Mike Edwards to return to Kentucky for their senior years, the Wildcats were left without an obvious draft prospect for 2018, but there were at least a few former UK players who might have been options in the late rounds.
Instead players like kicker Austin MacGinnis, wide receiver Garrett Johnson and linebacker Courtney Love will have to go the free agent route if they are to make a roster after not being picked in the three-day draft which concluded Saturday.
Four UK players have been drafted since Mark Stoops was hired in 2013, including 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Bud Dupree, but only one of those players – Baltimore Ravens defensive end Za’Darius Smith – was not a holdover from the previous staff.
The drought could end in 2019 though with Allen considered an early-round prospect and several other seniors, including Edwards, tight end C.J. Conrad, linebacker Jordan Jones, outside linebacker Denzil Ware, offensive lineman George Asafo-Adjei and cornerbacks Derrick Baity, Chris Westry and Lonnie Johnson candidates to work their way into draft selections.
Kentucky will also have at least two juniors – running back Benny Snell and former five-star offensive tackle Landon Young – who might have decisions to make about whether to return to school after the season.
But for now the Wildcats are left without a selection in consecutive drafts for just the second time in the history of the event, dating back to 1936.
Years with no UK picks in NFL draft