Former Kentucky Stars Randall Cobb and Tayshaun Prince to Be Inducted into Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame for Legendary Legacies

In the realm of Kentucky sports, few names have etched themselves as deeply into the hearts of fans as Randall Cobb and Tayshaun Prince. Now, both icons are receiving one of the state’s highest athletic honors. Cobb and Prince—standouts in football and basketball respectively during their college careers—are officially headed to the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.

The announcement was met with overwhelming support from Big Blue Nation, as these two celebrated athletes represent the very best of what Kentucky sports has to offer: leadership, versatility, determination, and a lasting impact that stretches far beyond their collegiate playing days.

For Randall Cobb, the journey to immortality in the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame began in the small town of Alcoa, Tennessee. A high school quarterback turned college wide receiver, Cobb arrived in Lexington in 2008 and immediately made his mark as a dynamic playmaker. During his three seasons with the Wildcats, Cobb dazzled fans and frustrated opponents with his ability to do it all. He ran, passed, caught, returned kicks—and most importantly—he inspired a fan base hungry for excitement.

Cobb wasn’t just a player; he was a phenomenon. By the time he declared for the NFL Draft in 2011, he had racked up nearly 2,400 all-purpose yards and 28 total touchdowns. Whether it was breaking ankles on punt returns or threading the needle on trick-play passes, Cobb brought electricity to every touch.

After leaving Kentucky, Cobb was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. There, he became a household name—earning a Pro Bowl nod and forming a potent connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He spent most of his career with the Packers, becoming one of the most beloved players in franchise history before additional stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and a brief return to Green Bay. Throughout his professional journey, Cobb never forgot his Kentucky roots, regularly giving back to the university and the community that supported him.

“Being a kid from Tennessee who got a shot at Kentucky—it changed my life,” Cobb said in a recent interview following the Hall of Fame announcement. “This is where I became a man, where I learned how to lead, and where I felt like I belonged. To be honored like this, it means everything.”

If Cobb was the heartbeat of Kentucky Football during his time, then Tayshaun Prince was the soul of Kentucky Basketball in the early 2000s. A lanky, versatile forward with silky-smooth shooting and suffocating defense, Prince was the definition of a two-way star. Playing under coaches Tubby Smith and then briefly under Orlando “Tubby” Smith again, Prince helped elevate the Wildcats during a time of transition.

A four-year contributor and eventual SEC Player of the Year, Prince became known for his clutch play and unflappable demeanor. He averaged 13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists during his Kentucky career while developing into one of the most reliable defenders in the country. His iconic five-straight three-pointers to start a game against North Carolina in 2001 remains one of the most unforgettable performances in Rupp Arena history.

But it wasn’t just the stats or the highlights that made Prince special—it was his consistency, humility, and unrelenting work ethic. He never sought the spotlight, yet it found him anyway.

After his collegiate career ended, Prince was selected 23rd overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He quickly found a home in the Motor City, where his defensive brilliance and basketball IQ became vital components of a team that would win the NBA Championship in 2004. Prince’s chase-down block on Reggie Miller during the Eastern Conference Finals remains one of the most iconic defensive plays in NBA history.

Over his 14-year NBA career, Prince also had stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves. But he is most closely associated with the Pistons, where he became a four-time All-Defensive Team selection and a model of professionalism.

“Tayshaun was never flashy—he was just always there when you needed him,” said former Pistons coach Larry Brown. “He did the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, and he did them every night.”

Like Cobb, Prince has continued to be involved in the game long after his playing days ended. He now serves in a front office role with the Memphis Grizzlies, helping to shape the next generation of talent. But even with an eye on the future, his heart has never strayed far from Kentucky.

“I’ve always said that playing at Kentucky was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Prince said. “It taught me how to compete, how to carry myself, and how to represent something bigger than myself. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is humbling beyond words.”

The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame was established to honor those who have made significant contributions to the rich sports history of the Commonwealth. Each year, a new class is selected by a committee of veteran sports journalists, historians, and administrators, with the goal of preserving the legacies of the state’s most impactful athletes, coaches, and contributors.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place later this fall in Louisville, with Cobb and Prince headlining a class that includes other deserving honorees across multiple sports. The event is expected to draw a large contingent of fans, former teammates, and current UK athletes who grew up idolizing both men.

University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart praised the selection of both Cobb and Prince as “well-deserved” and “long overdue.”

“Randall and Tayshaun are not only two of the greatest athletes ever to wear the blue and white, but they’ve been incredible ambassadors for our university and our state,” Barnhart said. “They’ve achieved success at the highest levels, and they’ve done it with class, humility, and grace. They represent everything we hope our student-athletes will become.”

Cobb and Prince’s journeys to the Hall of Fame differ in their sports and timelines, but they share an unmistakable blueprint—an unwavering commitment to excellence, a respect for their craft, and a deep love for the University of Kentucky.

Their stories also serve as a reminder of the unique platform that Kentucky provides. Few universities can boast such a proud tradition in both football and basketball, and even fewer can claim two athletes who so thoroughly exemplified what it means to wear “KENTUCKY” across your chest.

As the state prepares to honor these two legends, fans across generations are reflecting on the moments that made Cobb and Prince unforgettable. For some, it’s the adrenaline of Cobb juking SEC defenders on a third-down conversion. For others, it’s the calm poise of Prince draining a deep three to silence an opposing crowd. For all, it’s the unmistakable sense that these men were born to lead.

As Kentucky continues to evolve in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the figures who laid the foundation. Randall Cobb and Tayshaun Prince did more than just shine in their respective sports—they inspired a state, uplifted a program, and wrote chapters in a legacy that endures.

Now, with their induction into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, their names will be etched in history, where they belong—forever celebrated, forever Wildcats.