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Vince Marrow Compares Freshman WR Anthony Brown to Wildcat Great

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Kentucky wide receiver Anthony Brown on a recruiting visit to Lexington
UK Athletics

Freshman wide receiver Anthony Brown has been one of the primary points of discussion around the UK football program this spring and summer, and for good reason. With a Kentucky offense that is looking for depth at wide receiver, the Springfield, Ohio native has been a pleasant surprise for Liam Coen’s offense.

Similar to Dane Key and Barion Brown, expectations are riding high for Anthony Brown during his freshman campaign.

Even Dane Key and Barion Brown themselves said, “You all are going to hear that name a lot. I promise.”

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Kentucky Associate Head Coach Vince Marrow also had some positive things to say about Anthony Brown. “Anthony Brown reminded me of Wan’Dale Robinson 110 percent,” Marrow said.

He even went as far as to say that Brown was a “clone” of Robinson. With lightning speed and a 5’10, 170 pound frame, you can see why Marrow would believe such a thing.

The size difference between Brown and Robinson is rather minimal. Robinson measures at 5’8, 185 lbs.

Getting a Head Start at the College Level

One of the biggest reasons for why Brown is receiving so much praise is that he enrolled in January, which is much earlier than normal. He was already getting reps during practice at Kentucky when he should’ve been a high school senior.

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Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen thinks Brown’s early enrollment is playing a massive role in his accelerated development.

“When you come in as a freshman, that’s really supposed to be going to prom. That’s awesome. It is,” Coen said, “Because he’s able to come in (and really in the spring), he’ll tell you he had some drop issues.”

Coen added, “And when you go from catching the ball at Springfield High School to catching the ball from Devin Leary in a span of a couple months, that’s different now. The ball gets on you faster, and it’s a little bit of a different deal.”

Evidently, it was crucial for Brown to adapt and get up to speed with college football if he wanted to make an impact on this year’s team. Just going by all of the praise from his coaches and peers, Brown is putting in the work necessary to contribute big time.

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If you want to know exactly what you’re getting in Anthony Brown, Liam Coen has summed it up for you:

“I thought he’s handled this go-around extremely well in terms of being someone we can count on to go play, somebody that we can be able to push the ball down the field to, and he’s a diligent worker, smart kid, bright future ahead of him.”

That description is exactly what Anthony Brown can be for UK, and it’s exactly what Wan’Dale Robinson was in 2021. Perhaps the duo of Dane Key and Barion Brown will become a three-headed monster with the likes of Anthony Brown.

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Deone Walker Drafted No. 109 To The Buffalo Bills

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Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker has been selected No. 109 by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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.

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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.

Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection.

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.

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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.

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Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills

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Maxwell Hairston
Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has officially started the next chapter of his career, selected No. 30 by the Buffalo Bills in the late first round.

At 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, Hairston has come a long way since signing with the Wildcats as a 3-star prospect out of Michigan in 2021.

Although he missed five games this past season due to injury,  Hairston was still selected to Second-Team All-SEC with 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and four deflections.

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“Mad Max” took a huge jump in the draft boards after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks in Indianapolis, completing the drill in just 4.28 seconds.

At 21 years old, Hairston brings a level of experience from the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, to go along with elite speed and length to make him a potential starter for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

As one of the few invited to the NFL Draft, Big Blue Nation had a good look at Hairston with his family before his name was called.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the former Wildcats’ name just before the night ended, making the West Bloomfield native’s dreams come true.

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Ray Davis went to social media to share his excitement to have a familiar face in the locker room.

The National Football League shared an emotional video of Hairston embracing his father after the Bills drafted him.

Time will tell how Hairston’s role will pan out in the league, but rest assured, “Mad Max” will go down as one of the best defensive players in the Mark Stoops era.

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Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.

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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.

After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.

Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.

Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.

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