While these guys have certainly had their spotlight on the prep football scene during Friday night lights, they now have their focus on Saturday’s in the fall.
There’s 21 NCAA Division I football players (apologies in advance if we missed someone) on rosters from Northern Kentucky that are now playing their football on Saturdays.
Here’s a brief look at them, where they stand with their current team and what they’ve done since they left the area.
Willie Rodriguez, Kentucky
The Covington Catholic grad enters his second season in Lexington and should see a lot more of the field after a promising freshman season. Rodriguez caught five passes for 94 yards and played a key role on special teams his freshman year. He’s projected to be a starter as the “F” receiver in offensive sets. Pair that with his blocking ability in the run game and making some plays on special teams, expect to see No. 81’s number called more often this year.
Aba Selm, Kentucky
The Simon Kenton grad is a redshirt freshman for the Wildcats and is projected as a backup at the guard position, meaning an injury or any sort of depth related issues and he’ll be seeing the field a lot more often.
Aumad Edwards, Kentucky
The Dixie Heights grad took an untraditional route to Division I football. He attended Gateway Community Technical College in Florence and Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington to work on his academics before walking on to the team this year as a wide receiver.
Evan Wibberley, Kentucky
Wibberley is a Dixie Heights grad and is a redshirt junior who transferred from Western Kentucky after spending three years on the Hill. He played in 25 games as a Hilltopper, starting in 15 of them. He’s in competition for the starting center spot.
Dillon Smith, Louisville
The Ryle grad enters his freshman year with the Cardinals. He enrolled early to be with the team for spring practice and is listed as a defensive lineman.
Nick Keller, Louisville
The Conner grad is a redshirt junior for the Cardinals where he attempted 31 kickoffs, 22 of them going for touchbacks in the 2024 season. He also made a PAT and converted a two-point conversion. He’s listed as the backup placekicker and kickoffs.
Austin Alexander, North Carolina
The Cooper grad enters his freshman season with the Tarheels. He enrolled early to be with the team in spring practice and is projected to play weakside linebacker. He’ll play for new coach Bill Belicheck, one of the greatest football coaches of all-time at the NFL level.
Dominic Rulli, Penn State
Rulli played for two seasons at Cooper in 2018 and ’19 before heading to prep school in Connecticut. He is a redshirt junior for the Nittany Lions. He appeared in all 16 games last season, mostly on special teams and was named the coaching staff’s Special Teams Player of the Game twice. He’s listed as an offensive lineman and should see some more playing time along the line this year.
Brody Benke, Middle Tennessee State
The Highlands grad ended up taking a redshirt his freshman season last year. He’s playing tight end for the Blue Raiders and was the specialist scout team player of the week last season during the week of October 13.
Beni Mwamba, Memphis
Mwamba, a Dixie Heights grad, transferred to Memphis after a freshman season with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mwamba had a solid freshman season in which he appeared in seven games as a defensive back, recording two interceptions, 17 tackles and four passes defended. He missed the final five games of the season due to injury.
Colton Peoples, Washington State
The Campbell County grad is a senior who transferred from Tennessee-Martin to Washington State for his final year of eligibility. At UT Martin, he made Phil Steele’s Ohio Valley Conference All-Conference team his sophomore and junior seasons, sophomore year making the fourth team, junior year making the third team. He opened up his college career at Notre Dame College in Ohio as a freshman. He’s listed on the Cougars roster as a long snapper.
Cameron Hergott, Eastern Kentucky
The Beechwood grad is a redshirt junior for the Colonels and recently made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver. He played in all 13 games in 2024, primarily as the holder on PATs and field goals. At quarterback, he tallied 12 yards passing going 3-of-8 through the air. He also rushed for 125 yards on 12 attempts, scoring his first collegiate touchdown on Homecoming against Utah Tech.
Adam Surrey, Eastern Kentucky
The Highlands grad enters his freshman year with the Colonels and is listed as a wide receiver.
Dylan Stewart, Delaware
The Conner grad enters his freshman year with the Fightin’ Blue Hens and is listed as an offensive lineman.
Brach Rice, Miami (Ohio)
The Dixie Heights grad appeared in seven games his freshman season last year with the Redhawks and made two tackles. Rice ended up taking a redshirt and is listed as a defensive lineman on the Miami (Ohio) athletics website.
JR Hays, Western Michigan
The Ryle grad is a redshirt freshman for the Broncos. He did not appear in a game last season, according to Western Michigan’s athletics website. He has made a move from wide receiver and is listed as a running back for the upcoming season.
Mattox Kelly, Illinois State
The Beechwood grad enters his freshman season with the Redbirds and is listed as a defensive lineman.
Isaac Brown, Southeast Missouri State
The Cooper grad enters his freshman season with the Redhawks and is listed as a cornerback.
Josh Bowling, Morehead State
The Simon Kenton grad is a redshirt sophomore linebacker for the Eagles. Last season he appeared in all 12 games, recording 22 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. He also had a pass deflection and a fumble recovery.
Drew Dickerson, Morehead State
The Ryle grad is a redshirt sophomore for the Eagles, appearing in one game last season. He plays along the offensive line.
Liam McCormack, Murray State
McCormack, a Beechwood grad, is a redshirt freshman for the Racers. He appeared in one game last season and is listed as a wide receiver.