Updated April 25, 2026, 3:26 p.m. ET
LEXINGTON — Mark Stoops not is Kentucky football‘s coach. But his alternative, Will Stein, goals to maintain up a streak began by his predecessor.
The Wildcats have had not less than two gamers chosen within the NFL draft in seven straight years. That’s this system’s greatest run because it achieved the feat eight straight instances from the 1984 through 1991 drafts.
It’s unsure what number of UK gamers can be drafted in 2026. The draft started Thursday with the 32-pick first spherical and no ex-Kentucky gamers heard their names known as.
The identical was true Friday: After Day 2 of the draft concluded simply previous 11 p.m., the Cats did not have a participant come off the board.
Though it isn’t at all times an indicator of being a future decide, those that earned an invitation to the NFL mix is an effective place to start out. Six UK players had that honor final month: working again Seth McGowan, vast receiver Kendrick Law, defensive lineman David Gusta and offensive linemen Josh Braun, Jager Burton and Jalen Farmer.
Follow alongside right here as we observe when former Wildcats come off the board within the 2026 NFL Draft, in addition to those that signal contracts as undrafted free brokers (UDFAs) afterward.
Kendrick Law, Kentucky’s prime receiver final season, is headed to the NFL. The Detroit Lions drafted him within the fifth spherical Saturday. Law was the twenty eighth decide within the spherical (No. 168 general).
Jager Burton Farmer, an offensive lineman who began at heart for Kentucky, went off the board within the firth spherical of the draft. The Green Bay Packers chosen him with the 153rd general decide.
Jalen Farmer, an offensive lineman, is the primary former Kentucky participant picked on this 12 months’s draft. He went to the Indianapolis Colts with the thirteenth choice within the fourth spherical, decide No. 113 general.
The first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft are within the books. That’s 100 picks in all.
None had been ex-Kentucky gamers.
The second spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft will start at 7 p.m., with the third spherical capping tonight.
The fourth spherical begins at midday Saturday; the draft concludes that day with Rounds 5, 6 and seven.
- TV channel: ABC; ESPN, ESPN2; NFL Network
- Stream: NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; Fubo (free trial)
The NFL draft will air nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, and NFL Network. It additionally will be streamed on ESPN+ and NFL+.
Another streaming choice is Fubo, which presents a free trial.
Reach Kentucky males’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and observe him on X at @RyanABlack.
