Albert J. "A.J." Smith
A 1971 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, A.J. Smith became an executive in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins. He spent time as a part-time scout, full-time scout, assistant director of scouting, director of scouting and assistant general manager. Smith was named the general manager of the Chargers in 2003 and inherited a team that hadn't made the playoffs in eight seasons. He led the Chargers to five AFC West division titles and eight straight winning seasons. In March of 2013, the Washington Redskins welcome Smith as a senior executive until his retirement in February of 2015.
Smith returned to Wesleyan in September of 2018, being named Senior Football Consultant for the Panthers.
Keelan Cole
A member of the class of 2017, Keelan Cole put Owensboro on the map after his rookie season in the National Football League. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Cole as an undrafted free agent and was the 42nd player in the Jaguars' 23-year history to make the roster as un drafted rookie. He went on to help the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship against the reigning Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots.Â
During his rookie season, Cole led Jacksonville with 748-receiving yards during the regular season, averaging 17.8-yards per catch. He was the league's leading receiver from Week 13 to Week 17, and caught 13 passes for 294-yards during the final two weeks of the season. With three touchdowns on the season, the Jags were 3-0 when the Louisville native caught a touchdown.
In Week 15, Cole led the league with 186-yards including a 73-yard reception that landed just short of the goal line. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 13, an eight-yard pass from quarterback Blake Bortles.
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