Former University of Kentucky star Carrington Valentine hopes his name is called by the Cincinnati Bengals at the 2023 NFL Draft - and the AFC North franchise could certainly do with his electric speed in their defensive backfield.
A three-year star at the Kentucky Wildcats, Valentine played in 35 career games with 25 straight starts as a cornerback. He tallied 119 tackles along with 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 16 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to establish himself as a defensive playmaker.
Valentine has enjoyed the process since leaving Kentucky and holds little preference over where he might end up in the NFL as he speaks to teams ahead of this month’s draft. However, one team stands out given his proximity to the city and support for the franchise.
“I’m from Cincinnati so came up on the Bengals, so that would be different,” Valentine exclusively told Mirror Sport. “I’ll support whoever wants to draft me though! Wherever I end up I’ll be perfectly happy.
“[The draft process] has been everything I’ve dreamed of. One step closer to what I have been chasing since I was a kid. I got some butterflies in my stomach as we get closer, but I’m excited.”
Valentine has a reason to be excited. He impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, posting an impressive 39-inch vertical leap and an above-average broad jump of 10ft 8ins. At his Kentucky Pro Day, Valentine showcased his speed with a 4.38s 40-yard dash. He believes his speed is his biggest strength, but also pointed to his aggressiveness, maturity and confidence.
“I’m very aggressive at the line of scrimmage - press man was definitely a hostile play throughout my career,” Valentine said with a mischievous grin creeping across his face. “At the line of scrimmage, I dictate the receiver. I feel like that's what I do best.
“I take bits and pieces from everybody to shape my game. I like Darius Slay a lot. I like Jalen Ramsey because he is physical and aggressive, but also Denzel Ward and Jaire Alexander. It’s going to be surreal to share the field with players like that - it’s something you can hold onto for life.
“I’ve matured over the course of my college career and I've viewed the game in a new light. Now, I think like a pro. I know I have a lot to learn, but I also prepare like a pro and I feel like I’m ready to cover the best receivers in the world - and that’s just not in college.
“The National Football League has the best receivers in the world and you face them on a weekly basis.”
Valentine’s confidence when it comes to looking forward to facing the premier receivers in the world might surprise some, but the former Kentucky Wildcat has a unique respect and admiration for receivers. He first starting playing football as a receiver himself before switching to defence in high school.
As a result, Valentine feels his intuitive understanding of receiver traits and nuances has helped develop his skills as a cornerback. He added: “Of course, catching the ball was something that I learned and use now!
“Standing on the other side and seeing the way receivers stem routes or how they align, I can make plays because I used to be in their shoes. It’s kind of like I’m cheating - it helps a lot.”
Valentine achieved a key goal of his when he joined Kentucky, a big-time SEC school, and spent three seasons with the Wildcats. However, the NFL has always been the dream for Valentine ever since he stepped on a football field for the first time back when he was a child.
“I was introduced to football when I was seven - and I found out I was good pretty quickly,” Valentine said as he recalled a core memory. “The very first game I played, I was in at running back. I caught the ball and just took off, and because I’m fast, I ran past everybody.
“I remember getting to the end zone and looking back and everyone was way behind me. I thought, ‘Hey I can get used to this!’ Ever since then, I’ve never looked back.”
Valentine is certainly not one to shy away from a challenge, as evidenced in his desire to take on the best receivers the NFL has to offer. His mentality, moulded by his mother and admiration for Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, means he believes he is ready to step up to the NFL.
“My approach to the game changed so much last year,” Valentine added. “The game became really, really slowed down to me when I was seeing routes and making more plays - plays that I’m not supposed to even make. It was down to the preparation I did myself. When the game slowed down as much as it did, that’s when I thought I was ready to step up to the NFL.
“I feel like the best press man corner in this draft class. I’m ready to learn and keep elevating myself, to make plays and improve through my career - I’m someone a franchise can trust.”
