Wan'Dale Robinson is headed to the NFL after setting UK single-season records for catches and receiving yards. (UK Athletics Photo)
Two key players off this year’s 10-3 Kentucky football team are leaving for the NFL as most expected. Record-setting receiver Wan’Dale and nose guard Marquan McCall both announced on social media that they were putting their names into the NFL draft. Robinson is bypassing his senior year while McCall is turning down a COVID fifth-year option.
Pro Football Focus had Robinson as the highest-graded receiver in the Southeastern Conference and ranked his performance in the Citrus Bowl — 10 catches for 170 yards — as third-best by any Power 5 receiver during bowl season. Pro Football Focus projects him as the 12th best receiver and 78th best prospect — third round — in the NFL Draft.
“Robinson is a bona fide playmaker. He’s likely the best pure gadget player in the class but can be more than just that, as he broke 20 tackles on 94 catches and gained 1,172 yards this season,” Pro Football Focus’ Michael Runner wrote.
McCall missed five games due to injury and was a huge force for UK in the middle of the defensive line. He had waited his turn behind Quinto Bohanna, who is now with the Dallas Cowboys, for his chance to be a starter this year.
“I love all of you and the University of Kentucky will always be a second home to me,” McCall posted on Twitter when he announced his decision.
2 Responses
I thought they would leave, and this will hurt the team in 2022 unless some new players step up. Robinson will be hard to replace.
We’ll be fine the the middle – actually thought OX was the better of the two. Robinson simply CANNOT be replaced – the entire receiving corp will have to get appreciably better to even things out.