The Kentucky Wildcats are once again making their presence felt on the NFL Draft radar.
Six Kentucky football players - Josh Braun, Jager Burton, Jalen Farmer, David Gusta, Kendrick Law, and Seth McGowan - have officially earned invitations to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, set to take place from February 23 to March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It’s a strong showing for a program that’s quietly built a pipeline to the pros over the past decade.
Punter Adian Laros will also get his shot to impress scouts, receiving an invite to the NFL Specialist Showcase on February 25 - a key opportunity for special teams talent to stand out in a highly competitive space.
Here’s how the Combine schedule shakes out for the Wildcats:
- Feb. 27: Defensive linemen and linebackers take the field - look for David Gusta to showcase his explosiveness and technique in these drills.
- Feb. 28: Defensive backs and tight ends work out (no Kentucky players in this group).
- March 1: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs get their turn - Kendrick Law and Seth McGowan will be looking to turn heads here with their speed, route running, and ball skills.
- March 2: Offensive linemen wrap up the week - Josh Braun, Jager Burton, and Jalen Farmer will be in the spotlight, testing their agility, strength, and footwork in front of NFL brass.
For Kentucky, this marks the sixth straight year with at least four players invited to the Combine - and the seventh time in the last eight seasons. That kind of consistency speaks volumes about the program’s ability to develop NFL-caliber talent across multiple position groups.
Since 2013, 53 Wildcats have received Combine invites, with 44 of those coming since 2019. That’s not just a trend - it’s a testament to the culture being built in Lexington. And with the 2026 NFL Draft looming in April, Kentucky is aiming to extend another streak: having multiple players selected for the eighth consecutive year.
Here’s a quick refresher on what that recent draft history looks like:
- 2025: Two Wildcats heard their names called - defensive back Maxwell Hairston and defensive lineman Deone Walker.
- 2024: Four players were drafted, including DB Andru Phillips, ILB Trevin Wallace, RB Ray Davis, and QB Devin Leary.
- 2023: Three selections - QB Will Levis, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., and DB Carrington Valentine.
- 2022: Four more Wildcats made the leap - WR Wan’Dale Robinson, DL Joshua Paschal, and offensive linemen Luke Fortner and Darian Kinnard.
- 2021: A banner year with six players drafted - tying for the fourth-most in school history and the most since 1979. That group included LB Jamin Davis, DB Kelvin Joseph, DL Quinton Bohanna, DB Brandin Echols, OL Landon Young, and DL Phil Hoskins.
- 2020: WR Lynn Bowden Jr. and OL Logan Stenberg got the call.
- 2019: A loaded class of five - LB Josh Allen, DB Lonnie Johnson Jr., DB Mike Edwards, RB Benny Snell Jr., and OL George Asafo-Adjei.
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, the next few weeks will be critical for these Wildcats as they look to solidify their stock. The Combine isn’t just about 40-yard dashes and bench press reps - it’s about interviews, medical evaluations, and proving you belong in the league.
Kentucky’s recent history suggests these guys are ready for the moment. Now, it’s time to show the rest of the football world.