Josh Kattus, Kentucky Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/22/22 - TE Josh Kattus, Jr/2026, Kentucky

If nothing else has been made clear through the first two weeks of Kentucky football's preseason practices, fans can rest assured that new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello loves his tight ends. "I really believe there's three or four or five in that room that are going to play on Sundays," he declared after the first practice. Entering camp, the depth chart already looked crowded. Returners Brenden Bates, Keaton Upshaw, Izayah Cummings and Jordan Dingle brought a combined 84 games, 14 starts, 51 catches and eight touchdowns to the room. There did not appear to be any snaps available for a newcomer. Someone forgot to tell freshman Josh Kattus that he was destined for a redshirt season though. "I love him," Scangarello said. "I'm a big fan of Josh. He's got a long road to go, but he's got some special qualities. He's kind of become a favorite, I think, among the offense too as a young player. He's nasty, plays hard, plays to the whistle. "I think he aggravates the defensive guys at times, which I love. He's got a little something to him that's going to make him a really good football player here."

With Upshaw battling a minor hamstring issue as he worked his way back from missing all of last season due to injury, Kattus was already receiving some first-team reps in certain packages at UK's Fan Day open practice three days into preseason camp. Kattus arrived on campus with a reputation as a physical blocker, but he made an early statement with multiple catches during the 11-on-11 periods that afternoon. It quickly became apparent that Kattus was not only a temporary injury-replacement, either. "He's turned heads ever since he got here," quarterback Will Levis said. "Obviously, not the biggest dude at the tight end position, but he's got a really good feel for the game. He's a smart kid, physical kid, brings the energy. "...I think he'll get some burn this year. He's a good player. I trust him. He's as prepared as any of the freshmen we have going into practice." - Herald Leader

Jr/2026