Darian Kinnard, right, with UK teammate Austin Dotson before they watched last week's NFL Draft. (Photo by Mandy Rae Headrick)
What does it feel like to have your son picked in the National Football League draft?
“Beyond words, I can’t believe it. He has talked about this since he was young. It was almost like his whole history from flag football on up flashed before me. I cannot believe how quick and how long his journey to this point has been,” said Mandy Rae Headrick, the mother of Kentucky offensive tackle Darian Kinnard.
Kinnard, an All-American, was picked in the fifth round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Headrick said she was glad he didn’t get drafted by a team in California or New York “due to taxes and crime rates” but she had no other preference among other teams.
“I felt he would go to the best team fit for him depending on the offensive style. I had faith he would be put in the right place with the right people,” Headrick said. “I don’t think he could have done any better than where he is going. I am thrilled with Kansas City.”
Think about this — he got a call from Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of the NFL’s brightest stars, after he was picked by the Chiefs. Several other players also called but to have an All-Pro quarterback make that call tells you Mahomes is already anticipating Kinnard could be protecting him next season.
Last season he had former Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith, a sixth round 2021 draft pick, starting at right guard. Many NFL analysts expect Kinnard, a right tackle at UK, to move to guard in the NFL.
“He is just relieved to at least know now where he is going. The stress is over,” Headrick said.
Kinnard will be in Kansas City for a minicamp this weekend and then back a few weeks later for another training camp.
His mother, a health care worker, has already been looking for jobs in Kansas City.
“Mom is going to get there and be happy,” Headrick said.
