Football
Alex Raynor: A Rare Gem In This Year’s NFL Draft
Published
2 months agoon

Alex Raynor had an illustrious season for Kentucky last year, being named to First-Team All-SEC, as a finalist for the Lou Groza award and as SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.
As the record holder for the longest field goal in program history, and arguably one of, if not the, most consistent kickers to ever be a Wildcat, Raynor now looks to the NFL Draft in the next chapter of his book.
Recently, at Kentucky football’s NFL Pro Day on Tuesday, March 11, Raynor kicked off the event with his workout.
Although he would miss a routine kick for him inside of the 45, he would continue to move back, nailing a 55-yard kick and nearly making a 60-yard kick.
The best moments of his workout came when Raynor would line up behind the UK logo inside of Nutter Field House and would nail a 65-yard field goal.
Kicker Alex Raynor’s deep range kicks in his workout today: #BBN #KentuckyWildcats pic.twitter.com/rdxrBR6KyD— Kai McClelland (@fourwal1) March 11, 2025
That, although it’s an indoor kick and is not faced with the NFL pressure, would be one of the longest field goals in NFL history.
Historically, it’s extremely rare for kickers to be drafted any higher than the 6th, more commonly going in the late rounds on the third day.
However, Raynor would hold as one of the rare occasions to go higher than projected, due to his historic year as a Wildcat.
Wherever the young man from Georgia ends up in the pros, don’t be surprised if you hear his name every reoccurring Sunday.
Share this:
Related
You may like
Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent
Four Wildcats Sign NFL Contracts in Undrafted Free Agency
Deone Walker Drafted No. 109 To The Buffalo Bills
Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills
Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer
Jamon Dumas-Johnson: A NFL Draft Steal
Football
Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent
Published
4 days agoon
April 29, 2025Another 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.
Share this:
Related
Football
Four Wildcats Sign NFL Contracts in Undrafted Free Agency
Published
6 days agoon
April 27, 2025Within just a few hours from the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, four Kentucky Wildcats were picked up in undrafted free agency.
Eli Cox, Marques Cox, Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Zion Childress all signed contracts within an hour of each other, marking a total of six Wildcats moving on to the NFL since April 24. Kentucky football had a plethora of players sign to different NFL teams after the 2025 NFL Draft ended, including:
Zion Childress – Dallas Cowboys
Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Green Bay Packers
Marques Cox – Denver Broncos
Eli Cox – Houston Texans #BBN #KentuckyFootball #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Z90Yo4Xv9M— KY Insider (@KyInsider) April 27, 2025
Two senior offensive linemen, center/guard Eli Cox and tackle Marques Cox, secured undrafted free agent deals with the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Cox, who started 47 games for Kentucky, was a team captain and earned All-SEC honors in both 2023 and 2024.On the other side of the ball, linebacker Dumas-Johnson and defensive back Childress were brought on by the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
Dumas-Johnson, who led Kentucky in tackles in 2024, also won back-to-back national championships with Georgia in 2021 and 2022. Childress played in 38 games for the Wildcats, amassing 148 tackles over three seasons.
With rookie minicamps set to begin in May, each player now has an opportunity to prove himself at the next level, looking to make strong first impressions with his new team.
Share this:
Related
Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker has been selected No. 109 by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Round 4, pick 7 the @BuffaloBills select @deonewalker0.
📺 #NFLDraft2025 on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/nJ5JuitCAa— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 26, 2025
Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, making the former Wildcat one of the biggest defensive lineman not only in the draft, but in the history of the NFL.
Since earning a starting spot as a true freshman, to now exploding with excitement when he heard his name called, Walker’s unique blend of mobility and enthusiasm will cement him as one of the most beloved Kentucky players in program history.
Earning All-SEC honors and letting his disruptive play become the Wildcats’ identity, Walker will now cause terror for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to go alongside his former teammate Maxwell Hairston, who was selected by the Bills in the first round. LETS GET ITTTTTTTT😝😝😝— MadMax ¹ᵏ (@MHairston22) April 26, 2025
Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection. UK fans welcome to the mafia 🫡🫡— Re'Mahn Davis (@Ray_Davis07) April 26, 2025
The main worry about Walker not only has been his back injury that he played with all of last season, but what technique he’ll be able to play due to his stature that’s unlike any other.
However, even the NFL admitted that Walker could dominate the league.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker could be a difference maker in the trenches 💪@deonewalker0 | @UKFootball
📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MnxJnxEsfp— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2025
Before the draft, Walker visited with the Buffalo Bills, who emphasized interior pressure heavily last season, which is right up his alley. He’s been evaluated as one that can be a high-level backup or a potential starter as the season goes on.
The Bills are taking a swing with Walker, but many who watched him every Saturday at Kroger Field will tell you that this is a home-run pick.
Share this:
Related
REPORT: Travis Perry Enters Transfer Portal
CBS Sports: Kentucky Has “ended pursuits” in Transfer Portal Following Aberdeen Commitment
REPORT: Kentucky to Play Rick Pitino and St. John’s in CBS Sports Classic
Four of Kentucky’s Newest Transfers Take First Official Visits to Campus
Mark Pope is “Scouring the Planet” For Final Additions to Kentucky’s Roster
Kentucky Set to Face Purdue in Exhibition Game at Rupp Arena
Mark Pope is “Scouring the Planet” For Final Additions to Kentucky’s Roster
REPORT: Kentucky to Play Rick Pitino and St. John’s in CBS Sports Classic
Jamal Murray Drops 43 Points In Massive Game Five Victory
Former Kentucky Star Georgia Amoore Suffers ACL Injury Before WNBA Debut
Trending
- Men's Basketball2 weeks ago
REPORT: Travis Perry Enters Transfer Portal
- Men's Basketball1 week ago
CBS Sports: Kentucky Has “ended pursuits” in Transfer Portal Following Aberdeen Commitment
- Men's Basketball2 days ago
REPORT: Kentucky to Play Rick Pitino and St. John’s in CBS Sports Classic
- Men's Basketball6 days ago
Four of Kentucky’s Newest Transfers Take First Official Visits to Campus
- Men's Basketball2 days ago
Mark Pope is “Scouring the Planet” For Final Additions to Kentucky’s Roster
- Men's Basketball5 days ago
Kentucky Commits Post About Their Official Visits: “Can’t wait to get to work”
- Football1 week ago
Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills
- Football1 week ago
Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer