“Kentucky Wildcats sign as undrafted NFL free agents”

Safety at Alabama this year Jaylen Key earned the title of Mr. Irrelevant as the 257th player selected in the NFL Draft. Not all of these 257 players will have success on Sundays. This weekend a few have been selected that will contribute to your favorite team.

Four players were selected for the Kentucky football program over the weekend. Dru Phillips And Trevin Wallace went off the board in round three. Ray Davis fell to the fourth round and Devin Leary was selected in the sixth. These aren't the only rookie Wildcats who will be on the NFL training camp roster this summer.

Within hours of the conclusion of the NFL Draft, three former Kentucky Wildcats signed as undrafted free agents (UDFA).

OT Jeremy FlaxMinnesota Vikings
WR Tayvion RobinsonBaltimore Ravens
TE Brenden BatesChicago Bears

Bates probably had the most lucrative deal of the three. After an impressive pro day, he received interest from multiple teams before agreeing to join the Bears organization, which just received a significant boost with two top-10 picks in this year's draft. IOL Kenneth Horsey did not sign a UDFA contract, but received invitations to rookie minicamps from the New York Jets and Washington Commanders.

Jacob Tamme once gave me poignant advice that he gives to any college athlete looking for it. “Every player has a chance, but it might not be what you thought it would be.” Signing as a UDFA could actually give players a better chance to succeed than signing with a team in the later rounds of the NFL Draft to land.

It worked well Josh Ali two years ago. The former Kentucky pass catcher suffered an injury in a car accident that kept him out of action during the pre-draft process. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a UDFA and then worked his way up from the practice squad to an active roster.

There are several other notable UDFAs from Kentucky who went on to have success in the NFL. After the 1987 draft, Cornell Burbage played in 23 games and scored two touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys. In the 1970s, RB Doug Kotar rushed for more than 3,000 yards and had more than 1,000 receiving yards in eight seasons for the New York Giants. He finished his career ranked third among running backs in franchise history.

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