Kentucky kicker Alex Raynor announces return to Wildcats for 2024 season
Following a tremendous first season at Kentucky, starting placekicker Alex Raynor has announced he will return to Lexington to play for the Wildcats in 2024. He converted 10 of 11 field goals in 2023, with his one miss coming from 53 yards out.
Prior to arriving at UK last fall, Raynor enjoyed three successful seasons at Georgia Southern, where he honed in on his accuracy to hit 18 of 20 field goals as a junior — a similar conversion percentage to what he posted at Kentucky in 2023. He’s also nailed 97 of his 99 extra point tries over the last two seasons.
Here was that announcement, which Raynor posted to his Twitter page:
After such an excellent season kicking the football for an SEC school, Raynor likely had some pro opportunities. However, he’ll turn those away for at least one more season and will kick for the ‘Cats once again next fall.
So far, Kentucky has lost cornerback Andru Phillips and linebacker Trevin Wallace as entrants into the NFL Draft who still had eligibility remaining. Raynor joins guys like Marques Cox and JJ Weaver who have opted to use their extra COVID seasons to come back for the 2024 year.
More on the 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.
Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.
The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.
Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.
The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.