We’re not sure whether this was a bad day or a motivating day for the Kentucky Wildcats, but it’s happened two years in a row now.

With the 2018 NFL Draft in the books, UK was one of eight Power 5 teams without a player drafted; the Cats failed to have a player drafted in 2017, too. Others in 2018 included Baylor, Duke, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Illinois, Minnesota and Oregon State. That’s certainly not a list teams want to be included on.

The Cats best draft hopefuls were WR Garrett Johnson, OL Cole Mosier and LB Courtney Love, but none were drafted. Johnson has agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Chicago Bears, per reports.

However, this must change and should change in 2019.

The Cats top two 2018 draft-eligible prospects, OLB Josh Allen and DB Mike Edwards, both returned to school for their senior seasons and could become first-round picks next year. In addition to Allen and Edwards, RB Benny Snell will be draft-eligible, too. Assuming he stays healthy, Snell could be an early-round pick. Seniors Denzil Ware, Jordan Jones, Dorian Baker, Lonnie Johnson, Chris Westry and Derrick Baity could all also be drafted, giving Kentucky one of its best drafts in program history.

So, while it’s been famine the last two drafts for Kentucky, 2019 could be a good draft comeback year for the Cats.