April 26, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky offensive lineman Larry Warford was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round (65th overall pick) of the National Football League draft Friday evening.

Warford, who came to UK from Richmond, Ky., did not allow a quarterback sack as a senior, grading at 90.3 percent for the season and totaling 48 knockdown blocks. He led the UK offensive line, being named game captain five times throughout the season. Warford helped UK tailbacks earn 4.9 yards per carry during the season, including rushing for 342 yards against Samford.

Warford earned third-team All-America honors by Phil Steele’s College Football and The Associated Press. He became the first UK offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Mike Pfeifer (first team by Football News, Mizlou) in 1989 and the first to receive the honor from the AP since Warren Bryant earned second-team honors in 1976. All totaled, he is the 12th UK offensive lineman to earn All-America honors in school history. 

Warford was named first-team All-SEC by ESPN.com and CBSSports.com and also was named a second-team All-Southeastern Conference performer by SEC coaches, AP, Phil Steele’s College Football and CollegeSportsMadness.com. 

Warford ended his UK career having played in 47 games with 37 consecutive starts. The senior was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week after UK’s win over Kent State, handling blocking responsibilities on KSU’s star lineman Roosevelt Nix. In the game, Warford collected eight knockdown blocks and graded out at 91.7 percent, while limiting Nix to only two assisted tackles.

Warford is the highest draft pick since Randall Cobb was taken in the second round (64th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in 2011, and he’s the first offensive lineman drafted at UK since Todd Perry (fourth round) and Chuck Bradley (sixth round) in 1993.