Some athletes were just marketable. Some were elite.
A rare few were both—and those rare few carried the University of Kentucky across seasons, screens, and sold-out stadiums. Today, as the NCAA faces a historic reckoning through the House v. NCAA settlement, the opportunity for long-overdue justice has finally arrived.
For Kentucky fans, this moment is personal.
From June 15, 2016, to September 15, 2024, thousands of student-athletes competed without the ability to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL)—a basic right now afforded to athletes across the nation. Those years saw packed arenas, booming ticket sales, rising TV deals, and a thriving UK brand. But behind that success were unpaid laborers in jerseys.
This is more than compensation. It’s about correcting a decades-long injustice and giving credit—real, monetary credit—to those who earned it.
So, who in Big Blue Nation deserves their check the most? We looked across sports, stats, and stories to spotlight 20 Kentucky Wildcats who weren’t just athletes—they were game-changers, revenue-drivers, and icons. Let’s give them their due.
Football: The Backbone of the Bluegrass Grit
1. Josh Allen (2015–18)
With 224 tackles and a program-record 31.5 sacks, Allen was a one-man wrecking crew. His 17 sacks in 2018 didn’t just earn him SEC Defensive Player of the Year—it helped Kentucky to a rare 10-win season and a Citrus Bowl victory. Under today’s NIL rules, Allen would’ve been the face of national campaigns and local hero deals alike.
2. Benny Snell Jr. (2016–18)
Snell ran through SEC defenses like they were cardboard. With 3,873 yards and 48 touchdowns, he broke Kentucky’s all-time rushing record. Snell sold jerseys, lit up social media, and became the beating heart of the Wildcats’ offense. He was a brand before the rules allowed brands.
3. Lynn Bowden Jr. (2017–19)
No player embodied adaptability like Bowden. Injuries forced him from wideout to quarterback, where he led the team with over 1,400 rushing yards in 2019. He was electric, unpredictable, and wildly marketable. In the NIL era, Bowden would’ve been a viral marketing machine.
4. Darian Kinnard (2018–21)
Offensive linemen don’t often get the spotlight, but Kinnard deserved it. A steady presence with 39 consecutive starts, he bulldozed lanes for Kentucky’s ground game and anchored one of the most effective O-lines in school history. His loyalty and dominance would’ve made him a perfect pitchman for durability and dependability.
5. Kash Daniel (2016–19)
From Paintsville, Kentucky, to the heart of the Wildcats’ defense, Daniel embodied homegrown pride. He racked up 238 tackles and brought unmatched emotion and intensity to the field. Today, he’s thriving in pro wrestling—proof of just how marketable he always was. Had NIL been around, Kash Daniel would’ve been a sponsor’s dream.
Basketball: The Kingdom of Calipari’s Kids
6. Malik Monk (2016–17)
Monk was fire in a bottle. He lit up Rupp Arena with deep threes and breathtaking athleticism, scoring 754 points in his lone season. His 47-point classic vs. UNC remains legendary. National coverage and fan adoration followed him—but money never did.
7. De’Aaron Fox (2016–17)
Fox’s lightning-quick first step and cool demeanor defined Kentucky’s 2016–17 campaign. His 39-point demolition of Lonzo Ball and UCLA in the NCAA Tournament is etched in March Madness lore. Every ad dollar earned from that game? None went to him.
8. Tyler Herro (2018–19)
Confidence personified. Herro’s shooting, swagger, and fearlessness made him a fan favorite—and marketing gold. His pull-up dagger against Houston in the NCAA Tournament was a viral NIL moment waiting to happen. Unfortunately, the moment passed unpaid.
9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2017–18)
SGA wasn’t the star at the season’s start, but he was the hero at the end. His 533 points, 189 assists, and an MVP SEC Tournament run turned him into a breakout star. Today, he’s an NBA All-Star. Back then, he was simply undercompensated.
10. Immanuel Quickley (2018–20)
In 2020, Quickley became SEC Player of the Year with 879 points and a flurry of clutch plays. A fan favorite and spiritual leader, Quickley’s NIL value would’ve soared, especially among Kentucky’s rabid base and youth-focused brands.
Baseball: The Unsung Sluggers and Aces
11. Evan White (2015–17)
White’s .373 average and Gold Glove defense led Kentucky to a Super Regional. His elite combination of athleticism and leadership made him one of UK baseball’s most prominent stars—and a missed NIL opportunity.
12. Zach Logue (2015–17)
With a 2.58 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 2017, Logue dominated when it mattered most. He anchored a postseason push that put Kentucky on the baseball map. In a fair system, he would’ve also anchored a few endorsement deals.
13. Kole Cottam (2016–18)
19 home runs. First Team All-SEC. Cottam’s power at the plate and command behind it made him one of the most valuable players in Kentucky baseball history. He had the tools and the charisma to be a poster athlete in any era.
14. Tristan Pompey (2016–18)
.361 average. All-SEC Second Team. Pompey’s flair, speed, and energy drew fans and drove engagement. In the age of NIL and TikTok, his star power would’ve made waves across platforms.
15. Luke Becker (2016–18)
Becker hit .337 in 2017 and drove in 117 career RBIs. His timely hits and veteran presence helped UK reach new heights. Quietly essential, he would’ve been the perfect ambassador for hard work and consistency.
The Wildcards: Women Who Carried Programs Without Pay
16. Sydney McLaughlin (2017–18)
Before she was an Olympic gold medalist, McLaughlin was dominating college track. Her impact on Kentucky’s brand was immediate—more fans, more media, more buzz. She was a world-class athlete restricted by outdated rules.
17. Asia Seidt (2016–20)
One of UK’s most decorated swimmers, Seidt’s championship-winning career deserves more than medals. Her 200m backstroke title and SEC dominance made her a foundational figure in UK Swimming’s rise.
18. Abby Steiner (2018–22)
A 13-time All-American and 2021 NCAA 200m champion, Steiner redefined what it meant to be fast in a Kentucky uniform. She broke records, shattered expectations, and, in another timeline, would’ve broken the bank.
19. Rhyne Howard (2018–22)
Howard wasn’t just good—she was iconic. With 2,290 points and back-to-back SEC Player of the Year honors, she elevated Kentucky women’s basketball to national relevance. Her legacy speaks loudly. Her bank account should have, too.
20. Maddie Scherr (2020–22)
An All-SEC gymnast with grace and grit, Scherr helped elevate UK gymnastics to a new level. Her floor performances captivated fans and showcased a rising program deserving of more attention—and more revenue.
This is Bigger Than Backpay
The House settlement isn’t just a legal correction—it’s a moral one. It’s about acknowledging the men and women who shaped the University of Kentucky’s athletic identity in an era where their greatness was seen but not rewarded. In 2023–24 alone, Kentucky’s athletic department raked in over $129 million in revenue. That wealth was built on the backs of these 20 athletes—and hundreds like them across sports and schools.
They filled arenas. They broke records. They inspired generations. They made Kentucky what it is.
Now, it’s time Kentucky—and the NCAA—pays them what they earned.
Who else from the pre-NIL era deserves a check? Drop your nominations below and join the conversation.
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