When a lot of fans think of NFL powerhouse production schools, Kentucky doesn't immediately jump out. But the Cats have some elite guys still playing. The NFL playoffs are finally here, and there are several Cats chasing the Super Bowl trophy.
It begins with the Panthers and Rams in Carolina.
Kentucky football players in the NFL playoffs
Trevin Wallace, LB, Carolina Panthers
After 3 years and nearly 100 total tackles, plus an epic blocked field goal return, Wallace was selected in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft by Carolina. He had 61 total tackles this past season, and now we get to watch his brother, Tavion, at Kentucky after joining from Arkansas in the portal.
Darian Kinnard, OL, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay will take on its forever rival, Chicago, at 8:30 tonight, and the former Cat standout will look to continue his perfect record. He won 2 titles with Kansas City in their back-to-back years, landed in Philadelphia and won a title, and now looks to make it 4 in 4 years.
Carrington Valentine, DB, Green Bay Packers
Valentine, who had over 30 tackles and 4 pass deflections, will look to help corral Caleb Williams and the Bears' passing offense under Ben Johnson.
Jamon Johnson, LB, Green Bay Packers
Johnson was a one-year player in Kentucky after leaving Georgia. All of his tackles came in the game against Minnesota at the beginning of the month. You may recognize him as Jamon Dumas-Johnson, but that was dropped by the NFL roster, so we will honor that.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
Getting the nod as an All-Pro is a big deal, and Ray Davis got that honor this year as a special teamer. The former Cat is used as a return man and occasional running back, but he has flashed big-play ability when given the chance.
Deone Walker, DL, Buffalo Bills
The big man is still doing what he did in Lexington: taking on blocks and being a problem in the middle. He finished his rookie season with 39 tackles and a sack.
Josh Hines-Allen, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Hines-Allen is now the all-time leader in sacks for the Jags and will be teaming up with former Kentucky OC Liam Coen in Coen's first run in the playoffs as a head coach. He will need to keep the other Josh Allen in check, as the Bills QB will look to continue his playoff form.
Bud Dupree, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers
Bud Dupree is still going in the NFL. The 32-year-old was a 1st round pick back in 2015 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 16 tackles and is still out there doing what he does after all this time. He will be going up against Drake Maye and the Patriots.
Eli Cox, C, Houston Texans
Eli Cox is a rookie and hasn't appeared in a game for the Texans yet, with Jake Andrews as the starter, but the former Cat is in the NFL playoffs as a first-year player against the Steelers.
Brandin Echols, DB, Pitssburgh Steelers
Echols was a 6th-round pick by the Jets back in 2021 and finds himself playing on the same team as Aaron Rodgers again, now in Pittsburgh. So either Cox or Echols will move on to the second round.
Kentucky has no players on either of the No. 1 seeds in the playoffs—the Broncos in the AFC or the Seahawks in the NFC. But there is still plenty of representation as the NFL postseason begins.