Kentucky Football Countdown: 63 days till Kickoff

The Fourth of July holiday weekend has arrived, and this Saturday means that Kentucky football is just 63 days away. There is not a No. 63 on this year’s football roster, but an all-time great on defense rocked those digits nearly two decades ago.

No. 63 Dewayne Robertson

The Memphis (Tenn.) Melrose product was a class of 2000 signee for Kentucky football as he was joining a program fresh off of consecutive bowl bids as Hal Mumme’s Air Raid offense was producing All-Americans and rewriting the passing books in the SEC.

However, things changed quickly. The Wildcats found themselves in the NCAA crosshairs thanks to recruiting violations and Robertson switched to defensive tackle as a true freshman after originally signing with the Wildcats to play H-back.

That move ended up being very beneficial.

Robertson developed into a star as a junior in 2002 under head coach Guy Morriss helping lead Kentucky to a 7-5 finish and a huge season-opening win over No. 17 Louisville at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were not eligible for the postseason due to a bowl ban.

Robertson finished the season with 48 tackles and five sacks earning All-SEC honors as the interior lineman became a top NFL Draft prospect. The junior would leave school early and would be selected No. 4 overall by the New York Jets in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Dewayne Robertson would then spend six seasons in the NFL playing for both the Jets and Denver Broncos. The Kentucky product finished his career with 16 sacks. Tim Couch is the only Kentucky player selected higher in the modern draft era.

Football is coming.