Josh Kattus, new Pop Warner Award finalist, reflects on UK career after season-ending injury

It’s a bittersweet week for Josh Kattus. For the second year in a row, the Kentucky senior tight end was named a finalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award, which honors a player who has made a positive impact on the field, in the classroom, and in the community; however, the news comes as his career draws to a premature close.

On Monday, Mark Stoops announced that Kattus will miss the regular-season finale vs. Louisville after injuring his leg vs. Vanderbilt. He finishes his senior season with 17 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns, which brings his total as a Wildcat to 38 catches for 505 yards and six scores. Kattus is on track to graduate in December with a degree in communications and an undergraduate certificate in business. A four-time game captain this season, Kattus has been a cornerstone of the team throughout his career, which just makes the fact that he’ll miss his final chance to beat Louisville even more of a bummer.

Kentucky’s No. 1 ass kicker said as much in a post on social media earlier today.

“Big Blue Nation, this isn’t how I hoped the season would end. Grateful for the chance to wear this jersey & represent KY. The fans, memories, & relationships will stay with me forever. Onto the next journey. Thank you, BBN. Co Cats!”

Big Blue Nation, this isn’t how I hoped the season would end. Grateful for the chance to wear this jersey & represent KY. The fans, memories, & relationships will stay with me forever. Onto the next journey. Thank you, BBN. Co Cats! pic.twitter.com/2bnZjk4bZP

— Josh Kattus (@JKattus) November 25, 2025

At least Kattus still has a chance to add to his trophy case. In addition to being a finalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award, he’s a current semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and a member of the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He was also a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy and was named to the watch list for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.

When you read the list of his good deeds, it’s not hard to see why. Kattus represents UK Football on UK’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), is a member of the SEC Football Leadership Council, and represents the SEC on the NCAA Football Oversight Committee’s Student-Athlete Connection Group. He’s very active in community service, volunteering each week at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, organizing a shoe drive for Camp Horsin’ Around, and participating in the last two years in Dancing with the Lexington Stars, where he helped raise more than $45,000 for various non-profit organizations.

Two Kentucky Wildcats have won the Pop Warner College Football Award in the past, CJ Conrad and Kenneth Horsey. This year’s winner will be announced Dec. 10 during the 68th Pop Warner Super Bowl at Camping World Stadium, held Dec. 7-14.