BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Three WKU Football players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Linebacker Kylan Guidry signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver Kisean Johnson signed with the Baltimore Ravens and running back Elijah Young signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Draft weekend started for the Hilltoppers on Friday, when defensive back Upton Stout was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the NFL Draft, making him the fifth WKU Football player drafted in the last four years. That includes a player selected in the third round in each of the last four NFL Drafts. WKU is the only non-Power Conference program to have a player drafted within the first three rounds in each of the last four NFL Drafts.
Guidry spent the last three seasons at WKU after starting his career at Kilgore Junior College. He appeared in 13 games during the 2024 seasons, including starts in the first eight games of the season as the team's jack before an injury that sidelined him for the Nov. 9 game at New Mexico State. He finished the year with 45 tackles, including seven for loss and three sacks. He also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Guidry's seven tackles for loss ranked second on his team, and his three sacks were tied for second-most on the team.
In 2023, he appeared in all 13 games, including starts in the final seven games of the season. He led the Hilltoppers in total tackles with 54, including six for loss and three sacks. Guidry also recovered a fumble and posted one quarterback hurry.
Johnson spent one season at WKU after transferring from Alabama State. He was named All-Conference USA Second Team Offense following the season. Johnson started all 14 games at wide receiver for WKU. He led the Hilltoppers in receiving, finishing the season with 925 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 receptions. He ranked second in Conference USA in receptions per game (5.36), fifth in receiving yards per game (66.1), third in touchdown receptions (7), second in total receptions (75) and third in total receiving yards (925).
Young spent his first three seasons of college football in the SEC at Missouri, before finishing his college career with two seasons at WKU. He appeared in all 13 games with 10 starts at running back during his first season on The Hill in 2023 and he led the team in rushing with 474 yards and three touchdowns on 104 attempts. He added 247 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions.
Young started all 14 games at running back for WKU during the 2024 season and finished second on the team in all-purpose yards with 1,267. He was WKU's top rusher with 883 yards and three touchdowns on 201 attempts, and he finished third on the team in receiving with 384 yards and two touchdowns on 47 catches. He recorded two 100-yard rushing games – against Kennesaw State on Oct. 30 and in the Conference USA Championship Game at Jax State on Dec. 6 – and had a season-high two rushing touchdowns in the Sept. 7 win over Eastern Kentucky. Young ranked sixth in CUSA in rushing yards per game (63.1), fourth in total rushing yards (883), fourth in all-purpose yards (1,267), ninth in yards per rush (4.39) and fourth in rushing attempts (201). He was named to the Phil Steele Postseason CUSA All-Conference Second Team Offense (RB) following the season.
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