LEXINGTON, Ky. - In the final drill of their Kentucky football careers, NFL-bound linebacker Wesley Woodyard finally got to deliver a punishing hit on NFL-bound quarterback Andre Woodson.

Well, OK, technically it wasn't Woodson himself that suffered the bruising, just a tackle dummy adorned with his red No. 3 practice jersey. That was all the coaches would allow.

"I made him fumble," Woodyard joked.

Perhaps more than anybody else, Woodson and Woodyard epitomize the giant strides the Wildcats program has made in their four years in college. As freshmen, Woodyard was considered undersized for a linebacker and Woodson too sluggish in the pocket, but the two have developed their skills and helped change the fortunes of Kentucky football, including back-to-back Music City Bowl victories.

The last time the Wildcats finished two straight seasons with postseason wins was 1951-52, under legendary coach Bear Bryant.

Now, Woodson and Woodyard are almost certain to play on Sundays next year, along with potentially several other members of their senior class — receivers Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson, tight end Jacob Tamme and running back Rafael Little.

After Kentucky's 35-28 season-ending victory against Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles Monday in Nashville, Tenn., Woodson said it was hard to believe the ride was finally over.

"The only disappointing thing about the entire night is knowing we'll never suit up again together," Woodson said. "That happens when a journey comes to an end. When we look back and look at these times, there will be plenty of memories. This is why we play the game, for the love of it and for the friendships."

Perhaps the best evidence of what Kentucky has accomplished the past two years comes with coach Rich Brooks' soaring popularity in Lexington. Brooks used to begin each season by joking with the media about whether they were surprised he hadn't been fired. Now, if he shows up at a basketball game, he gets the loudest ovation.

That's what happens when your team makes history, as the Wildcats did by knocking off then top-ranked LSU along with archrival Louisville earlier in the year. Kentucky almost downed its over major rival, Tennessee, but lost in triple-overtime.

Kentucky found itself ranked among the nation's top 10 teams — a first in the history of the Bowl Championship Series, so a return trip to Nashville might have been considered a letdown, although the players insisted it wasn't.

"It means a lot to the program," Woodyard said. "The seniors put in a lot of hard work. It means a lot to go out on the last game of the season on top and to know that for the first game of next season, we have left the guys with a victory on their hands."

Although his job appears secure again, Brooks realizes the larger challenge in changing a program riddled by probation when he inherited it is proving that he can do it with several classes, not just one.

"Turning the program around means we need to be in postseason next year," Brooks said.

The Wildcats seem to have the talent to do it again, although there are plenty of questions — particularly on offense. Next year, the vertical passing game could be a far cry from the one Woodson featured this year with his school-record 40 TDs.

Two lanky redshirt freshmen, Mike Hartline and Will Fidler, were behind Woodson on the depth chart this year but saw little action, and speedster Curtis Pulley, who missed the season with academic troubles, could give the team a completely new look if he gets the nod as next year's starter.

The Wildcats will lose three of their top four receiving threats — Burton, Johnson and Tamme — but return playmaker Dicky Lyons Jr. and DeMoreo Ford, an experienced backup. Little is gone, but the running game retains tremendous depth with Tony Dixon, Alfonso Smith and freshman burner Derrick Locke.

Defensively, Woodyard and end Dominic Lewis are among the only major losses from a unit that was dramatically improved over the nation's second-to-last defense from 2006. Micah Johnson appears ready to fill Woodyard's shoes as a roving linebacker, Trevard Lindley is among the Southeastern Conference's best defensive backs and Jeremy Jarmon will lead the defensive line.

Tamme says he expects the success to continue when he's gone because the turnaround is about mindset, not personnel.

"Guys, no matter what the situation, no matter what the score, no matter what the down, believe we're going to win the game," Tamme said. "Three or four or five years ago, when the program is coming off probation, it's tough for that to happen and for everybody in the bottom of their soul to believe we can win the game against Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida State. We do now and we showed it. It's going to continue."

One of the biggest potential defections could be offensive coordinator Joker Phillips, who figures to be on the short list for several head coaching positions. Phillips wouldn't confirm this week whether he expects to stay or go, but he acknowledged it will be difficult to watch such a closeknit group break up.

"It'll be tough seeing these guys go," Phillips said. "So many of them have been a huge part of the success we've had here. So many of them bought into the dream that we sold them on when we went into their living room."

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