Draft Notebook: Kentucky players come into focus at showcase events

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Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) runs the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive linemen Deone Walker (0) pursues during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Draft season is here. Are you ready? You better be. On Tuesday down in Mobile at South Alabama’s football facility, Senior Bowl practices will begin and two Kentucky players on defense should get a ton of attention as aspiring second round picks attempting to sneak their way into the first round. In Greater Dallas, Shrine Bowl practices are underway with another Kentucky product attempting to lock up a draft spot.

KSR will be here every step of the way to keep the Big Blue Nation up to speed throughout the draft process. After Eli Cox, Zion Childress, and J.J. Weaver participated in the Hula Bowl, some more draft work is getting done this week.

Measurables are already a talking point for Deone Walker

Every year to start off Senior Bowl Week, we get measurables for all players participating in the game. To no one’s surprise, Deone Walker‘s numbers jump off the page. Let the comps to Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis begin.

2025 Reese's Senior Bowl Measurements.
✅ Verified.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/FSxyWAcscu
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 27, 2025

Jordan Davis is a DT prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 10 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 1378 DT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/kiFBcmb09H #RAS pic.twitter.com/ellqHSeM0t
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 25, 2022

The sheer size and testing numbers from Davis helped him secure a top-15 pick. Professional football is a big man’s sport and the measurables for Walker will go a long way. Hand size and arm length standout just as much as the height and weight. Now the Senior Bowl will be a chance for the Kentucky product to prove he can play.

Walker has slipped to the second round in most mock drafts and has plenty on the line in Mobile this week. A big week could get the defensive tackle into Day 1 status again. The pass rush skill set is intriguing, but run game production against NFL talent this week is what could make the difference for Walker. Expect pad level to be a key talking point. The junior out of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech is one of the most intriguing players at the event this year.

A big week begins for Maxwell Hairston

At this event last year, Kentucky product Andru Phillips had a big week and that help bolster his draft status. That ultimately turned into a solid rookie season with the New York Giants. Maxwell Hairston will be looking to do the same thing.

Phillips got to show what he could do playing mainly slot cornerback while Hairston will get to show off some of his man coverage skills and zone instincts against NFL competition.

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The redshirt junior meets most of the median size marks at cornerback across the board. Hairston will not be dinged for measurables. Strong testing at the combine next month is a box that will need to be checked, but first, Hairston will look to show scouts he can play.

2025 Reese's Senior Bowl Measurements.
✅ Verified.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/9uaqd7NGe5
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 27, 2025

Similar to Walker, Hairston is showing up in the second round in a lot of mock drafts. A good performance in Mobile could lock up a spot early in Day 2 for the former three-star recruit. Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Will Johnson (Michigan) are seen as the top cornerback prospects, but there is a drop off after that. Hairston has a chance to sneak into that second tier.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson flashes at the Shrine Bowl

The Senior Bowl is the most popular event but the Shrine Bowl has grown in significant in recent seasons. Kentucky off-ball linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is in the Lonestar State this week looking to secure a draft spot.

The former Georgia transfer picked off Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord in practice on Monday.

When you jump the route, you get to celebrate in the end zone 🔄@JamonJohnsonn | @UKFootball | #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/gdCjHtSHq1
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 27, 2025

Dumas-Johnson is a multi-year starter in the SEC and a former All-American performer. The former blue-chip recruit is likely headed to a Day 3 selection but is working on getting into fourth and fifth round territory. The Kentucky product is having a good week so far at the North Texas football facility.