Former Kentucky Wildcats Throw a Pick Party in NFL Training Camps

Former Kentucky Wildcats Dru Phillips and Wan'Dale Robinson battle at New York Giants training camp, via Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Football is officially back. NFL Training Camps opened this week across the country. As you might expect, new quarterbacks take up a lot of the oxygen. I’m not here to laugh at Jaxson Dart’s pick-six or Aaron Rodgers’ errant throw. I’m here to show you the impressive plays made by a few former Kentucky Wildcats.

Maxwell Hairston made history in April when he became the first former Kentucky defensive back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The 30th overall pick turned heads on the first day of training camp while wearing No. 31. He got two hands on a ball and just missed out on an interception.

Mad Max making plays on day one. 🔒@Ticketmaster | @MHairston22 pic.twitter.com/dX8FQMTHf8
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 23, 2025

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He wasn’t the only former Kentucky defensive back creating highlights. Zion Childress one-upped him in Oxnard, California.

A high school quarterback, Childress began learning his craft in the secondary at Texas State. He transferred to Kentucky ahead of the 2022 season and earned his way into a starting role over his final two seasons in Lexington. A natural havoc-creator, he was a bad call away from becoming a Kentucky icon when his pick-six against Georgia was overturned.

There was no controversy on Thursday. The Cowboys undrafted free agent only needed one hand to snag this interception.

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sheeeeesh 😮@ZionChildress | @AmericanAir https://t.co/KzuxM8nk1q pic.twitter.com/Yhpz1rnVLL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 24, 2025

There was some Cat-on-Cat crime in New York. A battle that once took place on the Kentucky practice fields is now happening in blue and white New York Giants’ uniforms.

Dru Phillips is the Giants’ primary slot corner. He’s going toe-to-toe with slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. During 11-on-11s, Robinson got the best of his former Kentucky teammate by holding for an impressive touchdown reception. Phillips got the last laugh. On the next play, he picked off a pass directed to Robinson.

Andru Phillips INT next play https://t.co/3maFaQngJE pic.twitter.com/zHvpIkcOSq
— Giants Nation Show (@GiantsNationPod) July 24, 2025

If you thought that was it, think again. Carrington Valentine couldn’t let his former Kentucky teammates have all of the fun at the pick party. On the second day of Green Bay Packers training camp, a Malik Willis pass was tipped into the air. Valentine slid under the ball for an interception that he returned for a touchdown.

This is just the beginning. Prepare to see a lot of Kentucky Wildcats shine on Sundays this fall.

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