Josh Kattus Selected to NCAA Division I Football Student-Athlete Connection Group
Kentucky senior tight end Josh Kattus has been selected to the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group, representing the Southeastern Conference. He is also in his first season representing the Wildcats on the Southeastern Conference’s Football Leadership Council and UK’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
“I am honored to be chosen to represent the SEC on the NCAA Division I Football Student-Athlete Connection Group,” Kattus said. “I am also very excited about being on the SEC Football Leadership Council and on UK’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council. All three of these groups are genuinely interested in learning what we, the student-athletes, have to say about certain issues that affect us. I want to be a voice to help make changes for the good of this sport we all love.”
The SACG features 52 current players, representing every conference and independents in the FBS and FCS. Formed in 2019, the goal of the group is to provide an opportunity for football student-athletes to share their perspective on key initiatives, policies and legislation. The engagement group will be asked to provide broad-based feedback on issues the football oversight committees are reviewing. Previous discussions include the transfer portal, NIL, playing and practice seasons, and other items.
Student-athletes selected to the committee can serve up to two years and meet quarterly to discuss issues and provide feedback to the Oversight Committee.
The SEC’s Football Leadership Council, which had its first meeting last weekend in Birmingham, provides student-athletes with additional opportunities to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff. The councils serve as a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience, student-athlete wellness and playing rules.
Three other football Wildcats serving on UK’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council with Kattus are defensive backs Ty Bryant (Lexington, Ky.) and Terhyon Nichols (Cincinnati) and wide receiver David Washington Jr. (Philadelphia).
Kattus, a communication major, is a three-year letter winner for the Wildcats. He returns for his senior season having played in 33 games with 15 starting assignments. He has totaled 21 receptions for 310 yards and five touchdowns in his Wildcat career.
Kattus also is a leader in community service efforts. He was named to the 2024 SEC Community Service Team after participating in the Dancing with the Lexington Stars event where he helped raise more than $34K for the Lexington Rotary Club Endowment Fund and Surgery. He and his partner, Mattie Lewis, won the coveted 2024 Mirror Ball trophy.
Additionally, Kattus is a weekly volunteer at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, visiting with the kids and playing games.
