Two Former Wildcats to Compete in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

It’s officially senior showcase season for prospective NFL Draft picks. Over the next week there are three games for outgoing college football seniors to show off their stuff one more time for NFL front office personnel. It all begins Saturday evening in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Interior offensive lineman Tashawn Manning will represent Kentucky for the American team, while cornerback Keidron Smith will suit up for the National team. Jeff Fisher is coaching Manning’s squad. Smith’s will be led by one of Fisher’s pupils, former Heisman Trophy winning running back and current Tennessee State head coach Eddie George.

After appearing in 30 games over five years at Auburn, Tashawn Manning transferred to Kentucky for the 2022 season and started in 12 games at right guard. Like Manning, Keidron Smith was an SEC transfer, originally beginning his career at Ole Miss. A starter in 12 of 13 games in 2022, he earned Second Team All-SEC Honors from the league’s coaches. Smith tallied 46 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. His most memorable moment as a Wildcat was in the second game of the season, a pick six against Florida’s Anthony Richardson that opened the floodgates for UK’s third win over the Gators in five seasons.

You can watch the two former Wildcats in action at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, beginning at 6 pm EST on the NFL Network.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl kicks off a busy week for NFL scouts and general managers. The East-West Shrine Bowl is the following Thursday in Las Vegas. Two days later Mobile will host the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Chris Rodriguez is currently the only Wildcat slated to participate in the Senior Day festivities, but Will Levis has an invite if he chooses to accept it.