Kenneth Horsey Declares for NFL Draft, Opts Out of Bowl

You have seen Kenneth Horsey in a Kentucky uniform for a final time. Oddly enough, this is the final image you will see of the veteran in Kentucky blue.

There’s no place moore bourbony, moore bluegrassy, or moore horsey than Lexington, Kentucky—the Horse Capital of the World.#lookatlexington #BBN pic.twitter.com/IXnaIw4psh

— VisitLEX (@VisitLEX) November 21, 2023

The Kentucky offensive lineman concluded his six-year stint in Lexington by beating Louisville, again. The offensive guard was around for five wins against the Cards and four victories over his home state school, the Florida Gators.

Horsey was a team captain in 2022 and earned Preseason All-SEC Honors after playing a key role in the Big Blue Wall’s success in 2021. During his final season in Lexington, injuries limited his production. He only appeared in six games and did not play more than 15 snaps against South Carolina and Louisville.

On Wednesday afternoon Horsey announced his intent to enter the NFL Draft. He joins Ray Davis as the second player to opt-out of Kentucky’s bowl game. We’ll know the destination Sunday, but it’s trending toward the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, the same venue as the Cats’ 2019 postseason win over Virginia Tech.

“I am a Wildcat for life, and I’ll carry that honor wherever life takes me,” Horsey said.

Horsey was Comeback Player of the Year

It’s remarkable that Kenneth Horsey played college football, let alone logging 35+ starts over six seasons.

On Easter Sunday during his senior year of high school, Horsey was rushed to the hospital. A growth was discovered on a valve in his heart and he was forced to undergo open-heart surgery.

“I cried for about ten minutes,” his mother, Shari, told KSR back in 2020. “Then it was the realization of maybe having to tell Kenneth, who was getting ready to go to Kentucky, that he may never have to play football again. You hear open-heart surgery and that kind of procedure you just automatically think that’s what’s going to happen. That I’m going to have to tell my son that he can’t play football anymore because of his heart.”

Not only did he play football, he played it well. Horsey became a starter on the Big Blue Wall and was named Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year. His story is inspirational and he used it to become an advocate for heart health issues. He taught his team hands-only CPR and led speaking engagements with the Central Kentucky chapter of the American Heart Association.

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Horsey, and best of luck.

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