NFL teams trimmed their rosters to the 53-man limit Sunday evening, and a sizable group of former Wildcats survived the cut.
As clubs finalized their active rosters, more moves can still come in the days ahead through trades and waivers. Players waived on Sunday can be claimed by other teams based on the 2025 season win-loss order, with the Raiders holding the first opportunity and the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks picking last. Any player who gets claimed has to go onto that team’s active roster, while those who clear waivers become eligible for a 17-man practice squad.
Among the Wildcats who made the initial 53-man roster were OL Jager Burton and CB Carrington Valentine with the Packers, CB Brandin Echols with the Steelers, EDGE Josh Hines-Allen and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. with the Jaguars, and WR Wan'Dale Robinson with the Titans.
Also earning spots were RB Seth McGowan and OL Jalen Farmer with the Colts, RB Ray Davis, DL Deone Walker and CB Maxwell Hairston with the Bills, OL Marques Cox with the Dolphins, EDGE Bud Dupree with the Chargers, OL Luke Fortner with the Panthers, CB Dru Phillips with the Giants, WR Barion Brown with the Saints, and EDGE Za'Darius Smith with the Falcons.
Not every former Kentucky player got good news. Waived or released on Sunday were TE Brenden Bates (Browns), LB Jamin Davis (Steelers), QB Will Levis (Titans), OL Eli Cox (Texans), WR Ja'Mori Maclin (Bills), S Keidron Smith (Falcons), S Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Dolphins), DL Kahlil Saunders (Saints), OL Darian Kinnard (Packers), LB Daveren Rayner (Falcons), CB Zion Childress (Cowboys), OT Shiyazh Pete (Cowboys), TE Josh Kattus (Bengals), DL Quinton Bohanna (Jaguars), OL Courtland Ford (Jets), OL Landon Young (Jets), LB Trevin Wallace (Panthers), OT Alex Wollschlaeger (Saints), and LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Ravens).
Former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key was also waived by the Broncos. In addition, former UK wide receiver Kendrick Law and running back Chip Trayanum were placed on injured reserve by the Lions and Jets, respectively.
In Other News...
Mark Pope Just Sparked An SEC Idea Kentucky Fans Will Love
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Mark Pope has now added his own spin to the preseason conversation by organizing a Media Madness event that will put journalists through basketball activities. For Kentucky fans, it is an easy kind of fun to appreciate because it fits the larger SEC mood right now: coaches pressing their teams, reminding everyone that conditions are part of the challenge, and finding new ways to keep the attention pointed at their programs before the real pressure starts. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Already Has One Week 1 Threat It Cant Ignore
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Beau Brungard is the kind of player Kentucky cannot afford to treat like a routine FCS opponent. The dual-threat quarterback, who won the 2025 Walter Payton Award, backed up the attention with a strong debut, throwing for 232 yards and three scores while adding 119 rushing yards and two more touchdowns. For Kentucky, the challenge is obvious enough already: find a way to keep a playmaker like that from turning an opening game into a much bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Closing In On A Kentucky Greats Mark
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander keeps adding to a profile that already includes elite scoring, but there is another part of his game that has him creeping toward a notable Kentucky benchmark. The former Wildcat is sitting third on the programs all-time list for blocks by a point guard with 422, a reminder that his impact has never been limited to the offensive end.
He is 17 blocks shy of John Walls mark of 439, and he has gotten there in fewer games, which leaves open the possibility that the record could fall this season. For Kentucky fans, it is another example of how Gilgeous-Alexanders two-way value has made him one of the most complete players ever to come through Lexington. [Read more 🡒]