Landon Young, Jamin Davis among highest-graded rookies in preseason

Landon Young’s career as a Kentucky Wildcat was a special one. The 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive tackle out of Lexington appeared in 49 career games with 26 starts en route to All-SEC honors as a junior and senior. The three-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week helped lead UK’s offensive line finish as semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, an honor given annually to the nation’s Most Outstanding Offensive Line, in 2019 and 2020.

At the conclusion of his standout career, the Lexington native heard his name called in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. And unsurprisingly, Young is impressing early to open his professional career.

According to Pro Football Focus, the former Wildcat is the No. 2 highest-graded rookie offensive tackle this preseason. Former Texas second-rounder Samuel Cosmi of the Washington Football Team is the lone player to top Young.

Highest-graded rookie OTs this preseason

1. Samuel Cosmi, Washington – 81.7
2. Landon Young, Saints – 78.7
3. Liam Eichenberg, Dolphins – 78.3
4. Dan Moore Jr, Steelers – 76.1

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— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 23, 2021

And the praise for former Kentucky stars doesn’t stop there.

PFF also listed Washington rookie linebacker Jamin Davis as the highest-graded rookie defender on Friday evening in WFT’s 17-13 victory over the Bengals.

The former Wildcat finished with just one tackle in the win, but still finished with an impressive 75.3 PFF grade.

Jamin Davis: 75.3 PFF Grade vs. Bengals

Highest-graded rookie defender on Friday night pic.twitter.com/XQmdDUITAh

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 21, 2021

Davis was selected in the first round with the No. 19 overall pick and is considered an early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The star linebacker finished with a team-high 102 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions as a junior.

Not too shabby for the former Wildcat duo. Not too shabby at all.