Lamar Jackson, Louisville
In fewer than 20 years, Louisville football went from a program that went 1-10 while playing in a dilapidated minor-league baseball stadium to a place that produced a Heisman Trophy winner. It took a special player to earn that distinction. Lamar Jackson was as electrifying a player as there has been in college football history. In two full seasons as the Cardinals' starter, he threw for 7,203 yards and 57 touchdowns while adding another 3,172 yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground.
Jackson's achievements on the field earned him widespread recognition. In 2016, the future two-time NFL MVP became the youngest player ever to win the Heisman, at only 19 years and 337 days old. His 4,928 total yards that season were the second-most ever for a Heisman winner.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Kentucky
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was a standout athlete at Kentucky, rewriting the record book before becoming a four-time Olympic gold medalist. In her single season at the school, she won the NCAA and SEC championships in the 400-meter hurdles. McLaughlin-Levrone set the collegiate record (52.75 seconds) in the 400 and the world junior indoor record in the 400 at the NCAA indoor championships.
McLaughlin-Levrone's achievements at Kentucky laid the groundwork for her future success on the international stage. The New Jersey native's impressive performances earned her recognition as one of the top athletes in the country.
Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Anthony Davis was a dominant force in college basketball, producing one of the best freshman seasons in history. Despite finishing fourth on his team in shot attempts, Davis averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game. He won nearly all of the major national player of the year awards and was named the national defensive player of the year.
Davis's impressive performances helped lead the Wildcats to their first NCAA championship in 14 years. He earned Final Four most outstanding player honors after pulling down 16 rebounds and blocking six shots in the national title game.
Darrell Griffith, Louisville
Darrell Griffith, known as Dr. Dunkenstein, is perhaps the best and most important player in Louisville's long and decorated men's basketball history. Griffith was the top-ranked player nationally coming out of Male High School and opted to stay home, where he helped transform an already ascendant program. As a senior in 1980, he was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Wooden Award before leading the Cardinals to their first-ever national championship.
Griffith scored 23 of his team's 59 points in the national title game, earning him Final Four most outstanding player honors. He remains the program's career scoring leader nearly 50 years after his last game.
Jenny Hansen, Kentucky
Jenny Hansen was a gymnast who put together a lengthy resume at Kentucky, winning eight individual NCAA championships and nine SEC championships. She remains the only woman to win the NCAA all-around gymnastics title in three consecutive years, from 1993-95. Hansen is tied for the most career perfect 10s, with 28, and was named the most outstanding gymnast of the previous 25 years by the NCAA in 2006.
Hansen's impressive performances on the gymnastics floor earned her recognition as one of the top athletes in the country.
Wes Unseld, Louisville
Wes Unseld was a standout athlete at Louisville, starring for his hometown program in the 1960s. He earned consensus first-team All-American recognition twice and averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds per game. Unseld was a five-time NBA All-Star and the 1969 NBA MVP, making him one of the greatest players in Louisville's history.
Unseld's achievements on the court were impressive, and he remains one of the greatest players in the program's history.
Dan Issel, Kentucky
Dan Issel is the program's all-time leader in career points (2,138) and scoring average (25.8). He had a remarkable career at Kentucky, scoring more points than any other player in the program's history. Issel's impressive performances earned him recognition as one of the top players in the country.
Issel's legacy at Kentucky continues to be celebrated today, with his name etched in the program's history as one of the greatest players of all time.
This list of top 10 college athletes from Kentucky showcases the incredible talent and achievements of the state's best athletes. From Lamar Jackson's electrifying performances on the football field to Jenny Hansen's impressive gymnastics routines, each of these athletes has left their mark on the world of college sports.
Source: Yahoo Sports
