The University of Kentucky had six former players enter the NFL this year.
Among them were quarterback Will Levis, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., and cornerback Carrington Valentine, all of whom were drafted in the second, sixth, and seventh rounds, respectively. The other three players, linebacker DeAndre Square, offensive lineman Tashawn Manning, and safety Keidron Smith, signed deals with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.
Levis was drafted as the 33rd overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. Despite being projected to be a top-10 pick, he slipped to the second round. However, he has since landed the starting quarterback job in Tennessee and has played in seven games this season, passing for 1593 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.
He just led the Titans to a remarkable comeback victory against a very formidable Miami Dolphins team and his old KY fans who backed him via the Kentucky sports betting apps must be quite pleased.
Levis completed 23 of his 38 passing attempts for 327 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on the night, earning Tennessee a marginal victory. He admitted being bummed out over the INT but did very well to forget about it and play on.
“That was a nightmare,” he said. “No one wanted to look at me. No one wanted to talk to me. I didn’t want to talk to anybody after that. I just wanted to move on – be ready to attack that next two-minute drive that I knew we’d be able to get.”
Rodriguez, meanwhile, was drafted by the Washington Commanders, who are currently in a rebuild after being sold to a consortium led by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris and former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Magic Johnson. Rodriguez has played in 11 games so far this season, registering a total of 154 yards on 31 carries with an average of 5.0 yards per attempt.
Valentine was selected as the No. 232 pick by the Green Bay Packers, who are also in transition mode following the departure of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers during the offseason. He has played in 13 games so far this season and has made a total of 31 tackles, including 17 solo.
Square, unfortunately, has been hurt and reached an injury settlement with the Los Angeles Rams in September. He would have missed the entire season but agreed to a settlement instead and will be free to look for another team once he’s able to play. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed.
Manning, who was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia shortly after high school, is on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He has overcome cancer to make it this far and will have opportunities to make it onto an active NFL roster.
Smith, though, didn’t make the Dolphins’ 53-man roster after signing with the team in the offseason. However, he worked out for the Tennessee Titans earlier in November.
Levis has shown remarkable arm strength and is an attractive betting prospect as he threw for four touchdowns in his debut, becoming just the third player to pass for four or more TDs in their first game in NFL history. His performance also led to a win against the Atlanta Falcons. While former starter Ryan Tannehill has returned from injury, Levis remains the starter for the time being. The Titans will be in action against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
Rodriguez has a bright future with the Washington Commanders, as offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is said to be high on him. He has shown promise in his limited opportunities and could become a key part of the team’s rebuild.
Valentine is becoming a star with the Green Bay Packers, having played a significant role in the team’s success so far this season. He defended three passes and made a pair of tackles during the team’s 20-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams earlier in November.
Overall, the University of Kentucky Wildcats can be proud of their former players’ success in the NFL. Although some have encountered setbacks, such as Square’s injury and Smith’s release from the Dolphins, the future looks bright for Levis, Rodriguez, and Valentine, who are all making significant contributions to their respective teams. Manning’s story is also an inspiration as it shows that determination and hard work can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.
Image Credit: BBN TONIGHT