The University of Kentucky has sent a great many players to the NFL over the years, including in this year’s draft.
The school is way more famous for its basketball program. But, make no mistake, there’s a lot to be said for its relationship with the NFL too, as it has fostered some of the most talented players in the country, with several former players going on to make a significant mark in the NFL.
The program is known for its hardworking culture, which is known to impress scouts.
NFL teams selected three players in the recent draft. Quarterback Will Levis was selected by the Tenessee Titans while cornerback Carrington Valentine went to the Green Bay Packers. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. joined the Washington Commanders.
NFL: The recent Penn State graduate was the most searched person on Google during the draft
Levis is the more popular of the three. The QB had one of the most embarrassing draft nights in recent memory as he attended the first-round affairs along with his family and girlfriend, only to be put through the frustration of not hearing his name called.
The former Penn State transfer was heavily tipped to be picked in the top 5 but must have started sweating after the first 10 players were picked. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, networks kept their cameras on him all night.
The one positive of the night came in the form of Will’s partner, Gia Duddy, going viral online. The recent Penn State graduate was the most searched person on Google during the draft and saw her social media following increase drastically. She has since landed an endorsement deal, thanks to the draft.
As for Will, the Titans picked him as the 32nd overall pick in the second round, though he was not in attendance the following night.
He will hope to make his mark in the pros after an impressive outing at the NFL Scouting Combine. And you can be certain fans in Kentucky will be paying attention.
Legal sports betting is coming in short order while fans are soon to have regulated sports betting apps in Kentucky, so the hype around such athletes will be even greater as both sports enthusiasts and bettors will be more inclined to track the performances of former Wildcats as they could have a direct impact on the betting landscape in the Bluegrass State.
Valentine has already made a great impression on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur
The Offensive Rookie of the Year Award will be one to watch where Levis is concerned. The quarterback is currently +4000 to win the accolade, with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson the outright favorite at +275.
As for Valentine, the former UK cornerback made 10 appearances for the program as a freshman, registering 10 tackles, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery. The following season, he started 12 times, having made 13 total appearances, and completed 61 tackles, five pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
His final year with the Wildcats saw him record 10 breakups, 46, tackles, one fumble recovery, and one sack, as well as an interception.
Valentine has already made a great impression on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur this offseason.
“Every practice, he makes a play,” LaFleur said this week. “You guys saw the end of the last practice we had making that pick-six. He’s super talented, and he’s maximizing those opps.”
Rodriguez has also impressed ahead of the upcoming NFL campaign. The running back is set to be the Commanders’ No. 3 option behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson.
He was available for 12 plays against the Cleveland Browns in Washington’s preseason opener last Friday, making five carries for 39 yards at an average of 7.9 yards per attempt.
Pro Football Focus gave him the third-highest grade of the Commanders’ offense in the 17-15 win against Cleveland.
There’s certainly excitement surrounding the player in Washington, and he’s already being compared to Marshawn Lynch.
“This is a guy that Eric [Bieniemy] was very high on,” head coach Ron Rivera said of Rodriguez before the preseason fixture. “He’s a guy that Eric thinks will most certainly have a role for us on the offensive side.
“Adding a physical player in Christopher is a guy that, talking to Eric and what Eric wants to do and how he wants to use him, in Eric’s mind, this is a guy that will fit what he wants. And so we’re pretty excited about being able to pick him up. We had a higher grade on him, too. So, we thought we got a lot of value here.”
