Former All-American tackle Darian Kinnard enters the 2025 season looking to win a fourth consecutive Super Bowl ring this year with the Green Bay Packers, who open at home Sunday against the Detroit Lions at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. Kinnard previously won rings with both Kansas City (2023, 2024) and Philadelphia (2025).
In all, 12 former Wildcats will open the season on active 53-man rosters. Another 12 remain with NFL franchises either on injured reserve or practice squads.
The Buffalo Bills and Packers each have three Wildcats in their locker room after the Bills selected both defensive back Maxwell Hairston and defensive tackle Deone Walker in the 2025 NFL Draft. They join running back Ray Davis, a 2024 draft pick. Kinnard is flanked in Green Bay by defensive back Carrington Valentine and linebacker Jamon Johnson. The Bills open on Sunday night primetime against the Baltimore Ravens.
The three Wildcats in other roles with the NFL include Champ Kelly (WR/DB – 1998-2001), senior personnel executive with the Miami Dolphins, Austin Moss (DE -2006-09), senior director of player affairs and development with the San Francisco 49ers and Corey Peters (DL – 2006-09), a college scout with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kentucky Wildcats on NFL Week One rosters:
*Practice Squad #Reserve/Injured %Reserve/Non-Football Injury
Buffalo Bills
Ray Davis, RB (2023)
#Maxwell Hairston, DB (2022-24)
Deone Walker, DL (2022-24)
Carolina Panthers
Trevin Wallace, LB (2021-23)
Cleveland Browns
*Brenden Bates, TE (2019-23)
Dallas Cowboys
*Zion Childress, DB (2022-24)
Denver Broncos
*Keidron Smith, DB (2022)
Detroit Lions
%Josh Paschal, DE (2017-21)
Green Bay Packers
*Jamon Johnson, LB (2024)
Darian Kinnard, OT (2018-21)
Carrington Valentine, DB (2020-22)
Houston Texans
*Eli Cox, OL (2020-24)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Hines-Allen, DE/LB (2015-18)
Kansas City Chiefs
*Mike Edwards, S (2015-18)
LA Chargers
Bud Dupree, OLB (2011-14)
Las Vegas Raiders
#Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB (2017-18)
New Orleans Saints
Luke Fortner, C (2017-21)
#Landon Young, OT (2016-17, 19-20)
New York Giants
Dru Phillips, DB (2020-23)
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (2021)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Brandin Echols, CB (2019-20)
Seattle Seahawks
*Quinton Bohanna, DL (2017-20)
Tennessee Titans
#Will Levis, QB (2021-22)
Washington Commanders
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB (2019-22)