How many Kentucky football players will be picked in NFL draft 2026?

TL;DR

Kentucky football's streak of having at least two players drafted in the NFL draft may be at risk, as no players were selected in the first round of 2026. Six Wildcats received invites to the NFL combine, indicating potential future picks.

Key points

Mark Stoops is no longer Kentucky football's coach.
Kentucky has had at least two players drafted for seven straight years.
No Kentucky players were selected in the 2026 NFL draft first round.
Six UK players were invited to the NFL combine.
The last successful draft streak was from 1984 to 1991.

Mentioned in this story

Mark StoopsWill Stein

NFL draftKentucky WildcatsSeth McGowanKendrick Law

LEXINGTON — Mark Stoops no longer is Kentucky football's coach. But his replacement, Will Stein, aims to keep up a streak started by his predecessor.

The Wildcats have had at least two players selected in the NFL draft in seven straight years. That's the program's best run since it accomplished the feat eight straight times from the 1984 through 1991 drafts.

It's uncertain how many UK players will be drafted in 2026. The draft began Thursday with the 32-pick first round and no ex-Kentucky players heard their names called.

Though it's not always an indicator of being a future pick, looking at those who earned an invite to the NFL combine is a good place to start. Six UK players had that honor last month: running back Seth McGowan, wide receiver Kendrick Law, defensive lineman David Gusta and offensive lineman Josh Braun, and .