< PreviousKENTUCKY n Record retention and graduation rates and bold goals for continued growth in our strategic plan n More than 8,000 degrees and 1,000 certificates awarded in the last academic year n Campus community with students from all 120 Kentucky counties, all 50 states and more than 100 countries n More than $6 billion in campus transformation, much of it financed in collaboration with private and public partners, focused on student living and learning communities, modern research laboratories, innovative teaching and learning spaces and one of the fastest growing academic medical centers in the country n A nearly $8.4 billion enterprise, UK is the region’s largest employer n The $504 million UK spent on research and development in FY23 generated $925 million in economic activity across the state, supporting more than 4,900 jobs throughout Kentucky n UK students compete successfully for prestigious scholarships and awards, such as the Fulbright, Astronaut, Truman, Goldwater, Marshall, Udall, Rhodes and Gates Cambridge n The hospitals and clinics of UK HealthCare provide advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from Kentucky and beyond. UK HealthCare is also home to the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report for the past nine years THE UNIVERSITY OFUK Campus Housing is more than a place to rest your head. It’s your home and the place where you and your friends dream about what’s possible. After all, your new home — your residence hall — was built specifically with you in mind. UK’s living spaces were created and designed to foster connections, spark conversations and ignite your passions. All of UK’s residence halls are modern and support the overall student experience. Amenities include private and communal lounges, semi-private bathrooms, free laundry facilities and multipurpose spaces. Here, you will not only dream about what’s wildly possible, but you will also have the support to build what’s possible. n It’s a fact: students who live on campus have higher GPAs. n All UK residence halls have state-of-the-art technology. n All UK residence halls have semi-private bathrooms. n You are never more than three minutes from a dining hall or place to eat.Talbott Todd Way is the site of UK’s pregame Cat Walk, where fans cheer the Wildcats on their arrival to Kroger Field each game day. Players and coaches walk from outside Gate 1 down Talbott Todd Way to the Joe Craft Football Training Facility two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. The alley was dedicated to former Wildcat Talbott Todd (1963-65). Todd, who passed away from ALS in August 2017, was an avid supporter of the program. GAME DAYThanks to Nike’s extensive research and product development, the Kentucky Wildcats stay on the cutting edge of quality and style with all of their gear. All 23 sports use Nike shoes and equipment and over the course of the current eight-year contract, one of the lengthiest contracts in collegiate sports, the Wildcats will receive MILLIONS of DOLLARS worth of clothing and equipment. In 2023, the Wildcats received new football uniform combinations. Each uniform features a blue collar which signifies Kentucky’s working-class background. The classic “Kentucky” wordmark reads across the chest, the pants feature classic stripes and the Wildcat logo adorns the sleeves. “We’ve got a state that is all about hard work and effort, and we want people to understand that that’s what it takes. If you put that jersey on, that’s part of what it means at the University of Kentucky to represent the Commonwealth.” — UK Athletics Director, Mitch Barnhart NIKE SWAGCareer Combine • PRO Career Institute • PRO Pathways • My New Kentucky Home Visit - UKathletics.com/the-kentucky-road STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE systems. His expertise lies in optimizing staff communications, coordination, cooperation, and accountability to help teams The UK Athletics Department has intensified its commitment to providing best-in-class experiences and opportunities for student-athletes throughThe Kentucky Road,which describes the incomparable developmental experience provided for student-athletes during their time as Wildcats. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Impact leadership, career and professional development, pro pathways, student- athlete network, community engagement, diversity advocacy committee, student-athlete career combine, NIL, and more!Financial Education is fundamental to the developmental experiences at the University of Kentucky. Annually, student- athletes attend two (one per semester) in-person Financial Education sessions. Additionally, student-athletes have access to the iGrad Financial Literacy platform for further educational resources. Whether crafting a budget for the current week or strategizing for the future, The Kentucky Road equips you with the necessary skills. Former Wildcat and NFL veteran, Avery Williamson (2010-13), returned to Kentucky in the spring of 2019 and graduated with a degree in integrated strategic communication (pictured above). In December of 2020, cornerback Derrick Tatum, who played from 1999-2002, and wide receiver Steve Johnson, who played at UK in 2006-07 and went on to an eight-year career in the NFL, came back to earn their degrees. Financial Education Lifetime Scholarships Impact Leadership As the Director of the Impact Leadership Program for UK Athletics, Shawn Umbrell (pictured above) is dedicated to empowering coaches and their programs through comprehensive leadership education, personalized one-on-one coaching, and the establishment of effective tems. His expertise lies in optimizing staff communications, oordination, cooperation, and accountability to help teams achieve the head coach’s vision.ACADEMIC DRAKE JACKSON AND LANDON YOUNG Class of 2019 LUKE FORTNER Class of 2019 PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE T.J. CARTER Class of 2020 PHIL HOSKINS Class of 2020 CHRIS RODRIGUEZ JR. Class of 2022Kentucky was the first school in the nation to open an academic center dedicated exclusively to student-athletes. The mission of the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services is to create an environment where all student-athletes have the opportunity to maximize their academic, personal and social growth to improve their post-college quality of life. CATS has one of the largest advising staffs in the country, consisting of nine full-time counselors and over 10 part-time peer advisors. In addition, the center annually maintains a corps of more than 100 tutors who average over 2,000 hours of tutoring and mentoring each week of the academic year. The Center for Academic and Tutorial Services is unique in that it is located in close proximity to the central academic campus inside Memorial Coliseum. This means that student- athletes have ready access to CATS before, after, and between classes. The Joe Craft Football Facility also houses an additional full-service academic center for football players to access computers, tutors, quiet study rooms and academic counselors. n In 1981, Kentucky became the first university in the nation to open an academic center dedicated to student-athletes. n In 1998, CATS moved to its current location located in Memorial Coliseum adjacent to the Joe Craft Center. n Funded by the Ohio Casualty Group Insurance, the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services has: • 20,000 square feet of space, 2 levels • A computer lab houses 37 state-of-the-art computers with universal access to software • A study area accommodates 60 seats in a quiet atmosphere • 25 private tutor rooms housing computers with internet access • Over 1,000 hours of tutoring computed per week • Over 100 tutors employed each semester • Scheduled tutor sessions assigned at the beginning of each semester as a proactive measure CATS 34 PLAYERS ON THE 2023 SEC FALL ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL 14 PLAYERS HAVE ALREADY EARNED AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND WILL BOAST THE SEC GRADUATE PATCH ON THEIR UNIFORMS 13 MORE PLAYERS SET TO GRADUATE IN DECEMBER 17 PLAYERS WERE ON THE SEC FIRST-YEAR HONOR ROLL 2 PLAYERS ALREADY HAVE A MASTER’S DEGREE OR ARE WORKING ON A MASTER’S DEGREE BUD DUPREE Class of 2015 RANDALL COBB Class of 2016WILL LEVIS JAMIN DAVIS WAN’DALE ROBINSON JOSH HINES-ALLEN n Kentucky had FOUR NFL Draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft - DB Andru Phillips (3rd Round - Giants), LB Trevin Wallace (3rd Round - Panthers), RB Ray Davis (4th Round - Bills) and QB Devin Leary (6th Round - Ravens). n 2024 marked the sixth straight year UK has had at least one player taken in the first three rounds. n Head coach Mark Stoops has had 28 players drafted in his 11 seasons at Kentucky. Twenty-four of those selections have come in the last six drafts.At the time of this printing, a total of 28 former Kentucky Wildcats are currently on National Football League rosters. Here is the list, along with their years at UK. BUD DUPREE CARRINGTON VALENTINE LANDON YOUNG Two Wildcats, safety Mike Edwards and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard, earned another Super Bowl ring when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Arizona Cardinals Phil Hoskins, DT (2017-20) Atlanta Falcons Josh Ali, WR (2017-2021) Baltimore Ravens Devin Leary, QB (2023) Tashawn Manning, OL (2022) Buffalo Bills Ray Davis, RB (2023) Mike Edwards, S (2015-2018) Carolina Panthers Tayvion Robinson, WR (2022-23 ) Trevin Wallace, LB (2021-23 ) Chicago Bears Brenden Bates, TE (2018-23 ) Cleveland Browns Za’Darius Smith, OLB (2013-14) Detroit Lions Josh Paschal, DE (2017-21) Green Bay Packers Carrington Valentine, DB (2020-22) Houston Texas Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB (2017-18) Jacksonville Jaguars Josh Hines-Allen, DE/LB (2015-18) Luke Fortner, C (2017-21) Kansas City Chiefs Kelvin Joseph, DB (2020) LA Chargers Bud Dupree, OLB (2011-14) Las Vegas Raiders Marquan McCall, DT (2018-21) Minnesota Vikings Jeremy Flax, OL (2020-23) New Orleans Saints Landon Young, OT (2016-17, 19-20) New York Giants Dru Phillips, DB (2020-23) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (2021) New York Jets Brandin Echols, CB (2019-20) Philadelphia Eagles Darian Kinnard, OT (2018-21) Tennessee Titans Will Levis, QB (2001-22) Quinton Bohanna, NT (2017-20) Washington Commanders Jamin Davis, ILB (2018-20) Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB (2019-22) Next >