Football
Kentucky Football Stars Barion Brown and Dane Key Claim They’re “The Best Receiver Duo in the Country”
Published
2 years agoon

On Friday, Kentucky Football held their annual media day, allowing the media to talk to the players and coaches ahead of the 2023 season. Expectedly, two of the most popular players were receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key, who both set freshman receiving records last season.
The duo gave KY Insider a message. Brown, with no shortage of confidence and with Key standing next to him, said, “We are the best receiver duo in the country. This is no cap. Whoever got the rock, I promise it’s going to be hard to get either one of us down.”
Barion Brown (@BarionBrown) and Dane Key (@DaneKey6) have a message.
"We are the best receiver duo in the country. This is no cap. Whoever got the rock, I promise it's going to be hard to get either one of us down."#BBN pic.twitter.com/XnnyoH4oBj— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) August 4, 2023
As Liam Coen returns to Kentucky as offensive coordinator, he is excited to have a more balanced receiving room than in 2022, but believes there is still room to improve.
“A lot of the time last year, they were running around as natural athletes and making plays,” he said, “Now, how do we get them to be the best receivers they can be?”
In 2022, Brown caught 50 passes for 628 yards (Kentucky freshman record) and 4 touchdowns, while Key caught 37 passes for 519 yards and 6 touchdowns (Kentucky freshman record). Of course, Brown specialized in the kick return game as well, returning 16 kicks for a total of 440 yards (27.5 average), scoring one touchdown.
Shown by his six touchdowns, Key was Kentucky’s leading red zone target last year, while Brown was a big-play machine. It seems like the best way for Brown and Key to reach their full potential is to just keep getting them the ball.
With Liam Coen making the calls on offense in 2023, Brown and Key are confident they will take the next step.
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Football
Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures
Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.
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Published
4 weeks agoon
May 10, 2025
Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.
Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025
Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.
In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.
The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.
Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11. Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025
The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.
His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.
With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.
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Football
Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal
Published
4 weeks agoon
May 8, 2025
On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.
In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.
A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.
The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.
Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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Football
Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent
Published
1 month agoon
April 29, 2025
Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025
Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.
He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.
Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.
His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.
Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.
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