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NFL Draft: Kentucky Football Lacking in Quality Draft Prospects

By Frank Spencer

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Football is not quite known as the NFL prospect factory.

There is a vision among all college football programs. It is to win a national championship, and produce as many professional football players as they can to help build their brand. If you think of Kentucky Football in terms of the NFL draft, there is not a ton of star power there compared to other schools in the SEC.

Mark Stoops has coached many first round draft picks in his career, but only one at Kentucky in his tenure. Two seasons ago, OLB/DE Bud Dupree was selected in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL Draft
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Bud Dupree (Kentucky) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 22nd overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

What has to change?

Simple answer? Recruiting. If there is something that Mark Stoops has brought to the attention of Kentucky Football fans everywhere, its his emphasis on strong recruiting. The meat and potatoes of a strong football program is simply getting the best possible players to attend your school. Alabama does it year in and year out. Multiple five-star athletes make Tuscaloosa their college town choice and look where that has gotten the Alabama Crimson Tide. Multiple national championships and first round draft picks every single season.

For Kentucky football to increase its play on the field, recruiting must take center stage. And for fans to hear Kentucky football players’ names on the first day of the NFL Draft, the Wildcats must open eyes in the SEC.

2017 Draft Projections

This season, there are only two prospects with hopes of getting the call. Center, Jon Toth and running back Stanley “Boom” Williams are the lone hopefuls. Toth has been generally the name most talked about getting picked in this season’s draft. Ranging in mock drafts anywhere from the 3rd to 7th round, Toth should be feeling good about his chances to get a call.

Next: Kentucky Football's Top 10 Performers of 2016

Williams on the other hand is a small fish in a big pond. A middle of the pack running back in the prospect rankings in a Running Back-heavy  class will make it difficult for teams to take a glance at Williams. All Kentucky football fans should be hopeful of seeing the program push more names to the NFL.

Stay tuned for news of free agent signings and training camp invites among other things.

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