List of Kentucky Wildcats in the NFL Draft
The University of Kentucky Wildcats football team has had 196 players drafted into the National Football League (NFL) since the league began holding drafts in 1936.[1] Because of the NFL–AFL merger agreement, the history of the AFL is officially recognized by the NFL and therefore this list includes the AFL draft (1960–1966) and the common draft (1967–1969). This includes 16 players taken in the first round and one overall number one pick, Tim Couch in the 1999 NFL draft.
Each NFL franchise seeks to add new players through the annual NFL draft. The draft rules were last updated in 2009. The team with the worst record the previous year picks first, the next-worst team second, and so on. Teams that did not make the playoffs are ordered by their regular-season record with any remaining ties broken by strength of schedule. Playoff participants are sequenced after non-playoff teams, based on their round of elimination (wild card, division, conference, and Super Bowl). Prior to the merger agreements in 1966, the American Football League (AFL) operated in direct competition with the NFL and held a separate draft. This led to a bidding war over top prospects between the two leagues. As part of the merger agreement on June 8, 1966, the two leagues held a multiple-round "common draft". Once the AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, the common craft became the NFL draft.
Key
* | Selected to an all-star game (AFL All-Star game, NFL All-Star game or Pro Bowl) | ||||
Won a league championship (AFL championship, NFL championship, or Super Bowl) | |||||
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame |
National Football League
Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player name | Position | NFL team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1936 | No selections | ||||||
1937 | 5 | 2 | 42 | Johnson, BertBert Johnson | Running back | Brooklyn Dodgers | — |
8 | 4 | 74 | Myers, GeneGene Myers | Running back | New York Giants | — | |
10 | 95 | 5 | Nevers, StanStan Nevers | Tackle | Pittsburgh Pirates | — | |
1938 | No selections | ||||||
1939 | 8 | 2 | 62 | Hinkebein, ShermSherm Hinkebein | Center | New York Giants | – |
1940 | 12 | 7 | 107 | McCubbin, BillBill McCubbin | Defensive end | Chicago Bears | — |
20 | 5 | 185 | Lindon, LukeLuke Lindon | Tackle | Cleveland Rams | — | |
1941 | 11 | 9 | 99 | Hardin, JimJim Hardin | Defensive end | Chicago Bears | — |
15 | 3 | 133 | Eibner, JohnJohn Eibner | Tackle | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
18 | 5 | 165 | Ishmael, CharlieCharlie Ishmael | Running back | Detroit Lions | — | |
21 | 2 | 192 | Bailey, JoeJoe Bailey | Center | Green Bay Packers | — | |
1942 | 10 | 10 | 90 | Mullins, NoahNoah Mullins | Running back | Chicago Bears | – |
1943 | 5 | 5 | 35 | Johnson, ClydeClyde Johnson | Tackle | Cleveland Rams | — |
13 | 9 | 119 | Wood, ClarkClark Wood | Tackle | Chicago Bears | — | |
1944 | 13 | 7 | 127 | Walker, CharleyCharley Walker | Center | Washington Redskins | — |
26 | 10 | 273 | Kuhn, CharleyCharley Kuhn | Running back | Cleveland Rams | — | |
26 | 11 | 274 | Portwood, BillBill Portwood | Defensive end | Boston Yanks | — | |
1945 | 9 | 2 | 78 | Meeks, GeneGene Meeks | Running back | Chicago Cardinals | — |
16 | 10 | 163 | Little, JimJim Little | Tackle | New York Giants | — | |
20 | 5 | 202 | Griffin, BillBill Griffin | Tackle | Cleveland Rams | — | |
1946 | 26 | 4 | 244 | Tunstill, JessJess Tunstill | Back | Chicago Bears | – |
1947 | 3 | 5 | 18 | Allen, ErmalErmal Allen | Back | Chicago Cardinals | — |
27 | 6 | 251 | Cutchin, PhilPhil Cutchin | Back | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
1948 | 7 | 6 | 51 | Rhodemyre, JayJay Rhodemyre | Center | Green Bay Packers | – |
1949 | 7 | 8 | 69 | Jones, WallaceWallace Jones | End | Chicago Beats | — |
11 | 5 | 106 | Hensley, DickDick Hensley | End | New York Giants | — | |
12 | 8 | 119 | Blanda, GeorgeGeorge Blanda* | Quarterback | Chicago Bears | NFL MVP (1970) AFL All-Star (1961, 1962, 1963, 1967) AFL Champion (1960, 1961, 1967) Pro Football Hall of Fame (1981) | |
1950 | 4 | 5 | 45 | Ulinski, HarryHarry Ulinski* | Center | Washington Redskins | Pro Bowl (1955) |
5 | 12 | 65 | Phelps, DonDon Phelps | Back | Cleveland Browns | NFL Champion (1950) | |
6 | 13 | 79 | McDermott, LloydLloyd McDermott | Tackle | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
18 | 9 | 231 | Genito, RalphRalph Genito | Back | San Francisco 49ers | — | |
20 | 2 | 251 | Howe, JimJim Howe | Back | Green Bay Packers | — | |
25 | 8 | 321 | Truman, LeeLee Truman | Back | Chicago Cardinals | — | |
29 | 3 | 368 | Zaranka, BenBen Zaranka | End | Green Bay Packers | ||
1951 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Gain, BobBob Gain* | Tackle | Green Bay Packers | Pro Bowl (1957) |
3 | 3 | 29 | Yowarsky, WaltWalt Yowarsky | Tackle | Washington Redskins | NFL Champion (1956) | |
3 | 6 | 32 | Bruno, AlAl Bruno | Defensive end | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
11 | 7 | 130 | Pope, BobBob Pope | Tackle | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
14 | 4 | 163 | Leskovar, BillBill Leskovar | Back | Chicago Cardinals | — | |
15 | 5 | 176 | Webb, ClayClay Webb | Back | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
15 | 8 | 179 | Wanamaker, BillBill Wanamaker | Guard | New York Yanks | — | |
18 | 3 | 210 | Fucci, DomDom Fucci | Back | Washington Redskins | — | |
28 | 4 | 331 | Martin, DickDick Martin | Back | Chicago Cardinals | — | |
1952 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Parilli, BabeBabe Parilli* | Quarterback | Green Bay Packers | Super Bowl Champion (III) AFL Champion (1968) AFL All-Star (1963, 1964, 1966) |
6 | 10 | 71 | MacKenzie, JimJim MacKenzie | Tackle | New York Giants | — | |
13 | 4 | 149 | Hamilton, EdEd Hamilton | Back | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
17 | 12 | 205 | Griggs, JohnJohn Griggs | Center | Los Angeles Rams | — | |
26 | 12 | 313 | Fuller, FrankFrank Fuller* | Tackle | Los Angeles Rams | Pro Bowl (1959) | |
28 | 1 | 326 | Moseley, DougDoug Moseley | Center | New York Yanks | — | |
1953 | 3 | 11 | 36 | Fry, BobBob Fry | Tackle | Los Angeles Rams | — |
3 | 12 | 37 | Donaldson, GeneGene Donaldson | Guard | Cleveland Browns | — | |
11 | 4 | 124 | Charney, RalphRalph Charney | Back | Chicago Bears | — | |
23 | 4 | 269 | Correll, RayRay Correll | Guard | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
29 | 7 | 344 | Paolone, RalphRalph Paolone | Back | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
1954 | 1 | 8 | 8 | Meilinger, SteveSteve Meilinger | Defensive end | Washington Redskins | — |
17 | 4 | 197 | Adkins, TommyTommy Adkins | Center | Baltimore Colts | — | |
1955 | 11 | 8 | 129 | Hardy, BobBob Hardy | Back | Philadelphia Eagles | – |
1956 | 11 | 8 | 129 | Moloney, DickDick Moloney | Back | New York Giants | — |
15 | 11 | 180 | Shatto, DickDick Shatto | Back | Los Angeles Rams | — | |
17 | 11 | 204 | Butler, JackJack Butler | Tackle | Los Angeles Rams | — | |
21 | 10 | 251 | Schnellenberger, HowardHoward Schnellenberger | Defensive end | Washington Redskins | — | |
25 | 4 | 293 | Wheeler, BillBill Wheeler | Tackle | Chicago Cardinals | — | |
25 | 6 | 295 | Mills, BradBrad Mills | Back | Baltimore Colts | — | |
1957 | 6 | 8 | 69 | Frankenberger, J. T.J. T. Frankenberger | Back | Cleveland Browns | — |
17 | 7 | 200 | Kuhn, DaveDave Kuhn | Center | San Francisco 49ers | — | |
1958 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Michaels, LouLou Michaels | Defensive tackle | Los Angeles Rams | — |
29 | 12 | 349 | Herzog, HenryHenry Herzog | Back | Detroit Lions | — | |
1959 | 22 | 2 | 254 | Bowie, JimJim Bowie | Tackle | Philadelphia Eagles | – |
1960 | 11 | 9 | 129 | Shaw, GlennGlenn Shaw | Running back | Chicago Bears | – |
1961 | 12 | 9 | 163 | Rodgers, TomTom Rodgers | Back | Detroit Lions | – |
17 | 13 | 237 | Bird, CalvinCalvin Bird | Back | Cleveland Browns | – | |
1962 | 1 | 12 | 12 | Goode, IrvIrv Goode | Center | St. Louis Cardinals | Super Bowl Champion (VIII) |
9 | 12 | 124 | Butler, BobBob Butler | Tackle | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
18 | 3 | 241 | Hawthorne, JuniorJunior Hawthorne | Tackle | Minnesota Vikings | — | |
1963 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Hutchinson, TomTom Hutchinson | Defensive end | Cleveland Browns | – |
1964 | 2 | 10 | 24 | Turner, HerschelHerschel Turner | Defensive end | Cleveland Browns | – |
1965 | No selections | ||||||
1966 | 1 | 15 | 15 | Ball, SamSam Ball | Offensive tackle | Baltimore Colts | Super Bowl Champion (V) |
2 | 10 | 26 | Windsor, BobBob Windsor | Tight end | San Francisco 49ers | — | |
2 | 13 | 29 | Norton, RickRick Norton | Quarterback | Cleveland Browns | — | |
3 | 15 | 47 | Kestner, RickRick Kestner | Wide receiver | Baltimore Colts | — | |
5 | 8 | 72 | Davis, DougDoug Davis | Tackle | Minnesota Vikings | — | |
1967 | 7 | 4 | 163 | Seiple, LarryLarry Seiple | Running back | Miami Dolphins | — |
11 | 22 | 185 | Riley, PatPat Riley | Wide receiver | Dallas Cowboys | Never played College Football | |
1968 | 11 | 10 | 283 | Little, DwightDwight Little | Guard | Detroit Lions | – |
1969 | 4 | 25 | 103 | Lyons, DickieDickie Lyons | Defensive back | Atlanta Falcons | — |
11 | 2 | 262 | Van Note, JeffJeff Van Note* | Linebacker | Atlanta Falcons | Pro Bowl (1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982) | |
1970 | 10 | 18 | 252 | Palmer, DickDick Palmer | Linebacker | Baltimore Colts | — |
17 | 20 | 436 | Beard, DickDick Beard | Running back | New York Jets | — | |
1971 | 6 | 1 | 131 | Hardt, DavidDavid Hardt | Tight end | Boston Patriots | — |
13 | 8 | 330 | Roller, DaveDave Roller | Defensive tackle | New York Giants | — | |
15 | 8 | 372 | Maykin, RayRay Maykin | Guard | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
16 | 24 | 414 | Burcell, DaveDave Burcell | Defensive tackle | San Francisco 49ers | — | |
1972 | 13 | 21 | 98 | Federspiel, JoeJoe Federspiel | Linebacker | New Orleans Saints | — |
7 | 7 | 163 | Bushong, BillBill Bushong | Defensive tackle | Green Bay Packers | — | |
1973 | 9 | 5 | 213 | King, KenKen King | Linebacker | St. Louis Cardinals | — |
11 | 10 | 270 | Neal, DanDan Neal | Center | Baltimore Colts | — | |
1974 | 4 | 11 | 89 | LeMaster, FrankFrank LeMaster | Linebacker | Philadelphia Eagles | — |
14 | 8 | 346 | Bowens, CecilCecil Bowens | Running back | New England Patriots | — | |
16 | 6 | 396 | Margavage, DaveDave Margavage | Tackle | Baltimore Colts | — | |
16 | 30 | 410 | Bishop, DarrylDarryl Bishop | Defensive back | Cincinnati Bengals | — | |
1975 | 2 | 8 | 34 | Stephens, ElmoreElmore Stephens | Tight end | Kansas City Chiefs | — |
5 | 22 | 126 | Nuzum, RickRick Nuzum | Center | Los Angeles Rams | — | |
13 | 11 | 323 | Ehlers, TomTom Ehlers | Linebacker | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
1976 | 2 | 8 | 36 | Collins, SonnySonny Collins | Running back | Atlanta Falcons | — |
5 | 27 | 151 | Pesuit, WallyWally Pesuit | Tackle | Dallas Cowboys | — | |
16 | 8 | 439 | Campassi, SteveSteve Campassi | Running back | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
1977 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Bryant, WarrenWarren Bryant | Tackle | Atlanta Falcons | — |
1 | 26 | 26 | Burke, RandyRandy Burke | Wide receiver | Baltimore Colts | — | |
1978 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Still, ArtArt Still* | Defensive end | Kansas City Chiefs | Pro Bowl (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984) |
5 | 26 | 136 | Ramsey, DerrickDerrick Ramsey | Tight end | Oakland Raiders | — | |
9 | 22 | 244 | Martin, MikeMike Martin | Linebacker | Chicago Bears | — | |
10 | 5 | 255 | Grant, WillWill Grant | Center | Buffalo Bills | — | |
10 | 25 | 275 | Owens, DallasDallas Owens | Defensive back | Baltimore Colts | — | |
11 | 4 | 282 | Blanton, JerryJerry Blanton | Linebacker | Buffalo Bills | — | |
1979 | 3 | 14 | 70 | Ramsey, JamesJames Ramsey | Defensive end | Cleveland Browns | — |
4 | 11 | 93 | Kovach, JimJim Kovach | Linebacker | New Orleans Saints | — | |
5 | 13 | 123 | Kirchbaum, KellyKelly Kirchbaum | Linebacker | New York Jets | — | |
7 | 16 | 181 | Winkel, BobBob Winkel | Defensive tackle | Minnesota Vikings | — | |
8 | 17 | 209 | Hawkins, RobertRobert Hawkins | Running back | Oakland Raiders | — | |
10 | 8 | 256 | Fowler, DanDan Fowler | Guard | New York Giants | — | |
12 | 14 | 317 | Stephens, DavidDavid Stephens | Linebacker | Minnesota Vikings | — | |
1 | N/A | N/A | Stewart, RodRod Stewart | Running back | Buffalo Bills | — | |
1980 | 3 | 18 | 74 | Carter, LarryLarry Carter | Defensive back | Denver Broncos | — |
6 | 12 | 150 | Boyd, LesterLester Boyd | Linebacker | New Orleans Saints | — | |
7 | 16 | 180 | Kearns, TomTom Kearns | Guard | New England Patriots | — | |
1981 | 9 | 12 | 233 | Gooch, TimTim Gooch | Defensive tackle | Baltimore Colts | – |
1982 | 11 | 8 | 287 | Campbell, JimJim Campbell | Tight end | Houston Oilers | – |
1983 | No selections | ||||||
1984 | 6 | 1 | 141 | Grimsley, JohnJohn Grimsley | Linebacker | Houston Oilers | – |
1985 | 1 | 19 | 19 | Adams, GeorgeGeorge Adams | Running back | New York Giants | — |
5 | 24 | 136 | Jacobs, CamCam Jacobs | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
10 | 16 | 268 | White, OliverOliver White | Tight end | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
11 | 11 | 291 | Smith, JeffJeff Smith | Defensive tackle | San Diego Chargers | — | |
1986 | 8 | 19 | 19 | Adams, GeorgeGeorge Adams | Running back | New York Giants | — |
10 | 4 | 253 | Dumbauld, JonJon Dumbauld | Defensive end | New Orleans Saints | — | |
1987 | 5 | 18 | 130 | Logan, MarcMarc Logan | Running back | Cincinnati Bengals | — |
5 | 25 | 137 | Mayes, TonyTony Mayes | Defensive back | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | — | |
12 | 20 | 327 | Ransdell, BillBill Ransdell | Quarterback | New York Jets | — | |
1988 | 2 | 17 | 44 | Dawson, DermonttiDermontti Dawson* | Center | Pittsburgh Steelers | Pro Bowl (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998) NFL Hall of Fame (2012) |
5 | 19 | 128 | Reese, JerryJerry Reese | Defensive end | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
8 | 12 | 205 | Higgs, MarkMark Higgs | Running back | Dallas Cowboys | — | |
12 | 6 | 205 | Kunkel, GregGreg Kunkel | Guard | Los Angeles Raiders | — | |
1989 | 7 | 7 | 174 | Johnson, D. J.D. J. Johnson | Defensive back | Pittsburgh Steelers | — |
7 | 15 | 182 | Hunter, Ivy JoeIvy Joe Hunter | Running back | Indianapolis Colts | — | |
8 | 27 | 222 | Chenault, ChrisChris Chenault | Linebacker | Cincinnati Bengals | — | |
9 | 10 | 233 | Darrington, ChrisChris Darrington | Tight end | Washington Redskins | — | |
1990 | 3 | 2 | 55 | Barnett, OliverOliver Barnett | Defensive end | Atlanta Falcons | — |
7 | 6 | 171 | Gardner, DonnieDonnie Gardner | Defensive end | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | — | |
8 | 19 | 184 | Murray, AndyAndy Murray | Running back | Houston Oilers | — | |
1991 | 5 | 11 | 261 | Baker, AlAl Baker | Running back | New York Jets | — |
12 | 17 | 323 | Brady, JeffJeff Brady | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers | — | |
1992 | No selections | ||||||
1993 | 4 | 1 | 85 | Wells, DeanDean Wells | Linebacker | Seattle Seahawks | — |
4 | 13 | 97 | Perry, ToddTodd Perry | Guard | Chicago Bears | — | |
6 | 18 | 158 | Bradley, ChuckChuck Bradley | Tackle | Houston Oilers | — | |
8 | 6 | 158 | Pelfrey, DougDoug Pelfrey | Kicker | Cincinnati Bengals | — | |
1994 | 6 | 11 | 172 | Samuels, TerryTerry Samuels | Tight end | Arizona Cardinals | — |
7 | 13 | 207 | Beehn, ZaneZane Beehn | Linebacker | San Diego Chargers | — | |
7 | 28 | 222 | Moore, MartyMarty Moore | Linebacker | New England Patriots | — | |
1995 | 2 | 11 | 43 | Johnson, MelvinMelvin Johnson | Defensive back | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | – |
1996 | 3 | 14 | 75 | Williams, MoeMoe Williams | Running back | Minnesota Vikings | — |
7 | 11 | 221 | Rusk, ReggieReggie Rusk | Defensive back | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | — | |
1997 | 5 | 11 | 141 | Hiles, VanVan Hiles | Defensive back | Chicago Bears | — |
7 | 5 | 205 | Ward, ChrisChris Ward | Defensive end | Baltimore Ravens | — | |
1998 | 7 | 46 | 234 | Sanford, KioKio Sanford | Wide receiver | San Diego Chargers | – |
1999 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Couch, TimTim Couch | Quarterback | Cleveland Browns | — |
4 | 3 | 98 | Yeast, CraigCraig Yeast | Wide receiver | Cincinnati Bengals | — | |
2000 | 5 | 28 | 157 | Whalen, JamesJames Whalen | Tight end | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | – |
2001 | 3 | 7 | 69 | Kelly, EricEric Kelly | Defensive back | Minnesota Vikings | — |
7 | 33 | 233 | McCree, MarlonMarlon McCree | Defensive back | Jacksonville Jaguars | — | |
7 | 36 | 236 | McCord, QuentinQuentin McCord | Wide receiver | Atlanta Falcons | — | |
2002 | 3 | 33 | 98 | Johnson, DennisDennis Johnson | Defensive end | Arizona Cardinals | – |
2003 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Robertson, DewayneDewayne Robertson | Defensive tackle | New York Jets | — |
4 | 2 | 99 | Pinner, ArtoseArtose Pinner | Running back | Detroit Lions | — | |
2004 | 7 | 43 | 244 | Abney, DerekDerek Abney | Wide receiver | Baltimore Ravens | – |
2005 | 3 | 28 | 92 | Burns, VincentVincent Burns | Defensive end | Indianapolis Colts | – |
2006 | No selections | ||||||
2007 | No selections | ||||||
2008 | 4 | 28 | 127 | Tamme, JacobJacob Tamme | Tight end | Indianapolis Colts | — |
4 | 29 | 128 | Burton, KeenanKeenan Burton | Wide receiver | St. Louis Rams | — | |
Undrafted | Wesley Woodyard | Linebacker | Tennessee Titans | ||||
6 | 32 | 198 | Woodson, Andre'Andre' Woodson | Quarterback | New York Giants | — | |
7 | 17 | 224 | Johnson, StevieStevie Johnson | Wide receiver | Buffalo Bills | — | |
2009 | 6 | 34 | 207 | Pryor, MyronMyron Pryor | Defensive tackle | New England Patriots | — |
3 | N/A | N/A | Jarmon, JeremyJeremy Jarmon | Defensive end | Washington Redskins | — | |
2010 | 3 | 19 | 83 | Peters, CoreyCorey Peters | Defensive tackle | Atlanta Falcons | — |
4 | 7 | 105 | Lindley, TrevardTrevard Lindley | Defensive back | Philadelphia Eagles | — | |
5 | 8 | 139 | Conner, JohnJohn Conner | Fullback | New York Jets | — | |
2011 | 2 | 32 | 64 | Cobb, RandallRandall Cobb* | Wide receiver | Green Bay Packers | Pro Bowl (2014, 2015) |
2012 | 6 | 11 | 181 | Guy, WinstonWinston Guy | Defensive back | Seattle Seahawks | — |
6 | 18 | 188 | Trevathan, DannyDanny Trevathan† | Linebacker | Chicago Bears | Super Bowl Champion (50) | |
2013 | 3 | 3 | 65 | Warford, LarryLarry Warford | Guard | Detroit Lions | – |
2014 | 5 | 11 | 151 | Williamson, AveryAvery Williamson | Linebacker | Tennessee Titans | – |
2015 | 1 | 22 | 22 | Dupree, BudBud Dupree | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers | — |
4 | 23 | 122 | Smith, Za'DariusZa'Darius Smith | Defensive end | Baltimore Ravens | — | |
2016 | 6 | 15 | 190 | Forrest, JoshJosh Forrest | Linebacker | Los Angeles Rams | – |