Sharing why Trevin Wallace stands out entering NFL Combine

Trevin Wallace broke out as Kentucky‘s standout off-ball linebacker in 2023. Now, he’s heading to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Wallace has flown under the radar during initial 2024 NFL Mock Drafts, but On3’s Phillip Dukes revealed why he believes the former Wildcat linebacker could be a sleeper pick for an NFL team come April.

“I’m going tell you a guy who I liked that’s under the radar. Trevin Wallace out of Kentucky,” Dukes told Staples. “Linebacker, All-SEC, great production. I think he was All-SEC the year before, if he wasn’t or honorable mention or something like that, but he’s a guy that I’ve watched since he was in high school.

“He can really run it. I think he’ll probably perform — he should have the fastest 40 of anybody have linebackers. I’m a 40 guy. I love the speed and I think it can change his draft status. If he goes out here and runs the way he can at around 230 pounds, I think he can go 4.4.”

Wallace was a three-year player for the Wildcats, and managed to improve every season in Lexington. He logged career highs in snaps (668), tackles (80), tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (5.5). Wallace logged 3.5 of those sacks over the first three games of the season — which led the SEC through that period in September. He ultimately finished second on the team in total tackles, behind fellow linebacker D’Eryk Jackson

Over his three years playing under defensive coordinator Brad White, Wallace finished his career totaling 1,307 defensive snaps in 35 career games.

Many were predicting Wallace to be a late second day, early third day selection during the 2024 NFL Draft’s three-day event. If Duke’s assessment were to come true, Wallace may he hearing his name called a bit sooner if his speed has anything to say about it.

Coming out of high school, the potential was always there. Coming out of Wayne County (GA), Wallace was a four-star prospect and the No. 104 overall recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

While it’s unlikely Wallace hears his name on day one of the 2024 NFL Draft, Dukes isn’t expecting the Kentucky product to have to wait long on day two. Even if he falls to the fourth-seventh sounds, he believes whichever team eventually takes the chance on him won’t regret it.