Jan. 6, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Seven former Kentucky Wildcats are on teams that will participate in the National Football League playoffs, including defensive tackle Corey Peters, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, wide receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb, punter Tim Masthay, defensive tackle Myron Pryor, linebacker DeQuin Evans and linebacker Micah Johnson.
Peters (Atlanta Falcons) and Woodyard (Denver Broncos) kick off postseason play Sunday as Atlanta visits the New York Giants at 1 p.m. EST and Denver plays host to Pittsburgh at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Evans and Johnson are on the developmental squad of the Cincinnati Bengals but will not see action unless activated prior to the game. The Bengals play at Houston on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Cobb and Masthay, members of the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, and Pryor (New England Patriots) have an open date in the first weekend of the playoffs. Their teams will be in action Jan. 14-15.
Here’s an update on how these former Wildcats have done this season:
Peters (UK 2006-09) had 26 tackles during the 2011 regular season, including three quarterback sacks. He broke up three passes, intercepted a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Woodyard (UK 2004-07) led the Broncos with 97 total tackles. He also caused two fumbles and broke up two passes.
It’s interesting to note that Peters and Woodyard were each named their teams’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in recognition of their community service.
Evans (UK 2009-10) and Johnson (UK 2006-09) have been on the Bengals’ developmental squad in 2011 and have not played in a regular-season game.
Cobb (UK 2008-10) caught 25 passes for 375 yards, 15.0-yard average per reception, with one touchdown. He was the team’s primary kick returner as well. He averaged 27.7 yards per kickoff return, fifth-best in the NFL (min. one return per game), and tied the league record for longest return with a 108-yard touchdown in the season opener. He averaged 11.3 yards per punt return, third in the league (min. one return per game), with one touchdown.
Masthay (UK 2006-09) averaged 45.6 yards per punt and 38.6 net yards per punt, both of which are single-season records for the long and storied history of the Green Bay franchise. He had a long punt of 71 yards and landed 23 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line.
Pryor (UK 2005-08) had two tackles, including one-half sack, in the season opener. However, he incurred a season-ending injury, was placed on injured reserve and will not be able to participate in the playoffs.
