Surprise Undrafted Rookie WR Ja'Mori Maclin Extends Bills' Kentucky Connection

Buffalo may have found another contributor to the roster who played their college days with the Wildcats

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin pulls in a pass during the final day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Friday, August 7, 2026 in Pittsford. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Ja'Mori Maclin just made a name for himself in the Buffalo Bills' second preseason game. He looks to add to a recent lineage for the Bills, given where he played college ball.

The nephew of former Pro Bowl WR Jeremy Maclin, Ja'Mori put on a show against the Cleveland Browns. He posted 108 yards on the day, buoyed by a 71-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. We wrote about his performance changed the dynamic of the Bills' wide receivers competition.

While it was a treat to see a rookie take advantage of his opportunity again, it's also intriguing to note that he is another player making plays in Buffalo after playing college ball at Kentucky.

#Bills Ja’Mori Maclin has flashed. One handed catch last week, and now over 100 receiving yards today.

Could be a sneaky practice squad guy. No doubt a play he will never forget!#BillsMafia @BuffTrenchTalk pic.twitter.com/UeWcFvP4uA

— Carson Hayek (@CarsonHayek) August 22, 2026

Buffalo's Wildcats

Maclin joins a growing list of Bills players who went to college in the Bluegrass State. The biggest name (literally and figuratively) drawing attention at the moment is Deone Walker. After a promising rookie season, the sophomore DT is looking more monstrous by the week.

He dominated his nine snaps in Buffalo's preseason opener against the Panthers, so he did not see the field in Cleveland. But it just goes to show how the coaching staff views Walker as he enters Year 2.

Next up is Ray Davis, who scored a rushing TD and totaled 43 all-purpose yards (21 rushing, 10 receiving, 12 punt return) against the Browns. He's added punt returning to his repertoire this summer after earning an All-Pro nod in 2025 as a kickoff returner.

Davis has also shown he can be a dependable backup RB. He's posted two 100-yard rushing games across his first two seasons in extended action.

Ray Davis scores on the opening drive 🙌

BUFvsCLE on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4TaW9cpIBQ

— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026

The highest drafted player of the bunch is Maxwell Hairston. The 2025 first-rounder has been nicked up most of his tenure thus far, but he returned to practice this week after dealing with a groin injury.

Even as he works his way back, Hairston had some positives in the Bills' joint practices in Cleveland. He notably matched up with rookie Denzel Boston, knocking down a pass to the former Washington WR and ending a Browns' two-minute drill.

Now Maclin looks like another positive addition from Kentucky. The Wildcats may not be a blue-blood program in college football, but Brandon Beane is showing they still have a dearth of NFL talent coming through their program.

Ja'Mori Maclin on his 71-yard touchdown catch from Shane Buechele in the #Bills preseason win over the #Browns:

"I didn't even think I was going to score low key."#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/H5GEOvvyIE

— Andy Young (@AndyYoungTV) August 23, 2026

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