During the 2020 NFL season, some of the most notable NFL players from Western Kentucky were Forrest Lamp, Jake Ellis, Nacarius Fant, Deon Yelder, and Taywan Taylor. Forrest Lamp is a guard for the Los Angeles Chargers and was selected in the 2017 NFL draft in the second round.
Jake Ellis is a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts who has appeared in 11 games since his 2017 debut. Nacarius Fant is a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, and was selected in the 2018 NFL draft in the fifth round.
Deon Yelder is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been with the team since 2018. Lastly, Taywan Taylor is a wide receiver for Houston Texans and was picked in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
All five of these NFL players attended the Western Kentucky University.
How many NFL players went to WKU?
There have been more than 25 former Western Kentucky University (WKU) football players who have been drafted or signed by teams in the National Football League (NFL). Some of the most notable players include Offensive Tackle Forrest Lamp, Defensive Tackle John Henry Johnson, Safety Jonathan Dowling, Wide Receiver Taywan Taylor, Offensive Tackle Branden Albert, Tight End Jack Doyle, Wide Receiver Mitchell Henry, Linebacker T.
J. Watt, Defensive End Quanterus Smith, Wide Receiver Willie Snead, and Cornerback Derron Smith. All of these players have displayed exceptional talent, and have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL.
While some former Hilltoppers have gone on to become prominent NFL superstars, the vast majority never make it to the professional level, and the few that do often struggle to become significant contributors.
Who is the Kentucky football player ever?
Joe Schadlick is the most decorated Kentucky football player of all time. He was a three-time All-American and two-time Academic All-American from the University of Kentucky, where he played football from 1999-2002.
Schadlick started all three of his seasons at quarterback and was the first player in school history to capture three consecutive All-SEC honors. He was the first player in NCAA history with the trifecta of 15 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and 15 rushing touchdowns.
He finished his career with more than 5,000 passing yards and more than 500 rushing yards for a total of 5,637 total yards. He was also the first UK quarterback to total 5,000 passing yards and 300 rushing yards in one season.
After graduating from UK in 2002, Schadlick was a fifth-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, making him the first UK player to be drafted since fullback Vince Marrow in 1992. He played one season with the San Diego Chargers and then returned to Kentucky where he is still involved in the football program.
He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Wildcats.
What NFL team does Kentucky root for?
The majority of Kentuckians tend to root for teams within their region; most notably the Cincinnati Bengals, who play in the AFC North and are located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Many Kentuckians have been passionate Bengals fans for decades, and the team has had a loyal following in the state, as evidenced by the hundreds of tailgaters at the Bengals games in Paul Brown Stadium located in Cincinnati.
Additionally, many also root for the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers, as they are all located in close proximity to Kentucky. Furthermore, the state is known for its college football teams such as the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and Louisville Cardinals, so some Kentuckians may also root for the teams they followed in college.
Is Drake still a Kentucky fan?
Yes, Drake is still a Kentucky fan. Drake is a Canadian native, born and raised in Toronto, but he made a point to pledge his lifelong loyalty to the Wildcats very early on in his career. In 2011, he announced his “love affair” with the university, and in 2016, he was even inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his loyalty.
Over the years, he has made several appearances at Kentucky sporting events, and he frequently posts his support for the Wildcats online. Most recently, he was spotted at Rupp Arena during Kentucky Basketball’s 2019-20 season, and he continues to show up at UK events in an attempt to show his support.
What state has the most born NFL players?
The state with the most born NFL players is Florida. With over 253 players born in the Sunshine State, it is well ahead of the next closest state, California, which has over 199 players. This is perhaps unsurprising given the large population of Florida and its great football culture.
Football has been popular in the state since at least the 1960s, and some of the greatest legends of the game, such as Dan Marino and Derrick Brooks, have hailed from Florida. It is also a key destination for top high school prospects due to its abundance of talent-rich programs and its great college football atmosphere – numerous notable college programs, including the Florida Gators, reside in the state.
Furthermore, Florida has had a large number of players drafted into the NFL in recent years, further increasing the state’s representation in the league.
Why does Drake support Kentucky?
Drake has been a long-time supporter of Kentucky, especially the University of Kentucky basketball team. He has often been seen wearing Kentucky apparel at his concerts and also attended a few games at Rupp Arena.
He even served as the Grand Marshal for Kentucky Derby 2018. He often shouts out Kentucky and the UK Wildcats on his Instagram stories. He has also donated large sums of money to charity, many of which have gone towards helping the youth of Kentucky and their families.
Drake has an affinity for Kentucky and the community and that is why he continues to show his support for the state, university, and its teams.
Has Ky ever had a NFL team?
No, Ky has never had a NFL team. Ky has had several minor-league and semi-professional teams over the years, such as the Kentucky Maulers, Kentucky Steel and the Louisville Xtreme, but none of them at the NFL level.
Ky is considered to be an unlikely location for a NFL team due to its small population, as the average NFL market consists of at least 1 million people. Additionally, Louisville and Lexington, the two largest cities in the state, don’t have stadiums that meet NFL standards.
Ky is home to some popular college sports teams, such as the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals, so those teams are the main focus of football in the state.
What is Western Kentucky ranked in football?
Western Kentucky University’s football team, the Hilltoppers, currently have a ranking of No. 68 according to the NCAA Football Rankings. The Hilltoppers compete in Conference USA in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I Football.
Over the years, the Hilltoppers have had some successful seasons and have even gone to bowl games in recent years. In 2019, the Hilltoppers finished the season 6-7 and competed in the LendingTree Bowl.
In 2020, the Hilltoppers finished the shortened season with a 4-4 record and were averaged 17th in total offense and 47th in total defense in the nation. The Hilltoppers will be looking to end the 2021 season with a higher ranking than their current No.
68.
Has Western Kentucky ever been ranked?
Yes, Western Kentucky has been ranked in the AP Polls and NCAA Coaches Poll. In 2008, Western Kentucky was ranked 24th in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. The following season, they climbed as high as 13th in the AP poll, but finished the season unranked.
Western Kentucky also reached a ranking of 23rd in the Coaches Poll in 2011 and achieved a ranking of 20th in the AP Poll and 24th in the Coaches Poll during the 2012 season. In 2013 and 2014, they were both unranked in the polls.
However, Western Kentucky returned to the polls in 2015 and achieved a season-high ranking of 21st in the AP Poll and 24th in the Coaches Poll. Most recently, in 2019, Western Kentucky was ranked 25th in the AP Poll and 24th in the Coaches Poll.
Did WKU win last night?
No, WKU did not win last night. They were defeated 63-58 by the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in their final regular season game. WKU trailed for much of the game, down by as many as 11 points in the second half and never able to get the lead, before eventually falling to the Bulldogs.
The Hilltoppers had multiple chances to take the lead down the stretch, but failed to convert. WKU was led in scoring by Taveion Hollingsworth, who put up 20 points and 8 rebounds. The Hilltoppers end the regular season with a record of 16-13 (9-9 in conference play).
Is Western Kentucky University a Division 1 school?
Yes, Western Kentucky University is a Division 1 school. WKU is a member of Conference USA and has been a NCAA Division I school since 1982. All of the University’s varsity athletic teams compete in Division I with the exception of men’s soccer, which is a Division I independent.
The school is home to 17 varsity sports, including 10 women’s teams and 7 men’s teams. WKU won multiple national championships in football, men’s basketball, baseball, and bowling. The school also offers a variety of intramural sports for students to participate in.
Is WKU LGBT friendly?
Yes, WKU is LGBT friendly! WKU has dedicated a lot of time and resources to ensuring that the university is an inclusive and comfortable environment for all students, including those who identify as LGBT.
WKU strives to create an open dialogue around issues of sexuality and gender in order to foster a deeper understanding of the LGBT community and its members. Furthermore, there are numerous organizations and offices on campus that provide support for LGBT students, such as the WKU Safe Zone, the LGBT Student Resource Center, and the WKU Pride Alliance.
These organizations provide safe spaces for students to connect and discuss topics related to their sexual orientation and gender identity and to access resources related to the LGBT community. Additionally, WKU’s housing office offers gender inclusive and single occupancy housing options, both of which were implemented to ensure that LGBT students have appropriate and safe housing options.
As such, WKU is a safe and inclusive environment that is committed to creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for all its LGBT students.
Is Ky football in the Top 25?
Currently, the University of Kentucky’s football program is not ranked in the Top 25. They ended the 2020 football season with an overall record of 5-6, with a 3-6 record in the SEC. However, the team has had some success in the recent past, making four consecutive bowl game appearances from 2016-2019.
During this time, the team earned an overall record of 34-23, including a program-best 10-3 record in 2018, when they finished ranked 11th in the AP Poll. The team has also seen much success on the recruiting trail, currently having the 8th ranked 2021 class.
With the wealth of talent in the program, it is possible for Kentucky football to work their way back into the Top 25.
When did Western Kentucky go d1?
Western Kentucky University made the transition to Division I athletics in 1982-83. WKU had previously been an NAIA and Division II member, winning consecutive NAIA championships in back-to-back years in 1979 and 1980.
As part of the transition, WKU joined the Sun Belt Conference for the majority of its sports (the football team joined the Ohio Valley Conference). Initially, the university focused on football, basketball, and baseball programs, but later added volleyball, soccer, cross country, golf, and track and field to round out its Division I offerings.
Over the years, the WKU program has seen success in nearly every sport, with multiple titles and All-Americans in several of its sports. WKU went on to win seven Sun Belt Regular season and Tournament titles in men’s basketball, and more recently, finished as runner-up in the 2016 College World Series.
While WKU has since moved onto different conferences, the university remains firmly rooted in its Division I roots.