With the NFL regular season officially over, the playoffs are finally here. Let's take a look at which former Wildcats have an open road to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
The Kansas City Chiefs ended with an 11-6 record, securing their eighth straight AFC West title. The Chiefs are the three-seed, set to play the six-seed Miami Dolphins in Arrowhead on Saturday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Peacock.
DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
The 2023 first-round pick saw lots of action this year playing in all 17 games, but was not considered a starter. In a defense that was dominant in the league, Anudike-Uzomah had 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. The young rookie settled into Steve Spagnuolo's defense nicely and has lots to learn from veterans Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
CB Ekow Boye-Doe
The rookie free agent did not get drafted but did find his way on the practice squad for the Chiefs for the first 11 games. He appeared in the next six games on special teams and even made his debut on defense in the Chiefs final regular season win against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Miami Dolphins ended the season with an 11-6 record, just missing out on the AFC East title, and will be the third seed in the playoffs. The Dolphins with take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead on Saturday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Peacock.
QB Skylar Thompson
The former starting quarterback and seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft did not see any action this season as the third-string QB. In his rookie season Thompson was thrust into action when starter Tua Tagovaiola went out with a concussion and backup Teddy Bridgewater also went out with an injury. Thompson ended up starting for the Dolphins in their Wild Card matchup against the Bills last season losing 34-31.
Lots would have to happen for Thompson to see action in the playoffs this year, but with the Dolphins' luck with injuries, anything is possible.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended the season with a 9-8 record, narrowly winning the NFC South title. The Bucs will be the the fourth seed and are set the take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on Monday, January 15 at 8:15 p.m. EST on ESPN.
DB Josh Hayes
A sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hayes appeared in 15 regular-season games. In the final game of the season, Hayes had two tackles on special teams to help secure the 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers. He finished with 17 tackles on the season.
The Dallas Cowboys finished with a 12-5 record winning the NFC East and securing the two-seed in the NFL playoffs. The Cowboys take on the Green Bay Packers in AT&T Stadium on Sunday, January 14 at 4:30 p.m. EST on Fox.
RB Deuce Vaughn
The Kansas State legend taken in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the team his father works for played in eight regular-season games. Vaughn ended his season on the Injured Reserve, but in his rookie year had 40 rushing and receiving yards. Vaughn served as the third-string running back for the Cowboys in his first season with the team.
Los Angeles Rams
The LA Rams ended the season with a 10-7 record and secured their Wild Card spot as the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs. The Rams are set to play the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, January 14 at 8:15 p.m. EST on NBC.
DB Duke Shelley
The four-year veteran spent his first two seasons with the Chicago Bears and his third season with the Minnesota Vikings. This will mark Shelley's second straight year in the playoffs. The free agent signee played 11 regular-season games for the Rams before being placed on IR in late November. Shelley had eight tackles, two pass break-ups, and one fumble recovery on the season.
S Russ Yeast
A rookie seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Yeast played in 17 regular-season games, starting nine of them. Yeast racked up 61 tackles and five defended passes for the Rams and was a leader in the secondary.