Super Seniors Ready to Contribute for Football Cats

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many new normals in the world. In the world of college sports, that includes a new classification of student-athlete.

What is not yet universal is the name. Some people are calling them super seniors. Others call them Covid seniors. Some others call them fifth (or sixth) year players.

These are the players who took advantage of the NCAA rule that gave each student-athlete an additional year of eligibility because of the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The good news for the Kentucky football team is that a number of players who would have been out of eligibility this season were able to return. And that list includes a number of players who will have an impact on this year’s team.

UK head coach Mark Stoops knows how valuable these “super seniors” can be to this year’s team.

“It’s nice with some super seniors on the football team and some guys with experience,” Stoops said. “It’s nice to have those guys for sure.”

Two offensive starters from last season were able to take advantage of the rule and return to UK. Wide receiver Josh Ali has 90 catches in his career for 846 yards and five touchdowns. Ali led UK in receiving yards last season.

Offensive lineman Luke Fortner also returns this season. Fortner has played in 42 games in his career, with 23 starts.

Stoops spoke highly of Fortner on Saturday.

“He’s dependable. He’s been around here a long time,” Stoops said. “He’s a great leader, he’s smart as heck.”

Also returning on offense is tight end Justin Rigg, who has 30 receptions for 358 yards and a touchdown in his UK career.

On the defensive side of the ball, a couple of impact defensive backs return for the Cats this year. Quandre Mosley has played in 23 games in his career, with 43 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.

Davonte Robinson has played in 37 games for the Cats with 88 tackles, including five tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries.

On special teams, kicker Matt Ruffolo is back this season. He has made 16 of his 19 field goal attempts in his career and has scored 88 total points. Return man Zach Johnson also elected to come back for Kentucky.

And it’s not only the talent that these players provide that helps the team. It’s also the leadership that they all bring to the Cats.

“You talk about Luke, you talk about Darian (Kinnard), you talk about Josh Paschal, (DeAndre) Square, the usual guys who have been leaders,” Stoops said. “There’s a lot of guys here.”

As for the rule itself, Stoops thinks it benefits both sides.

“I think it’s really good,” Stoops said. “It’s good for these guys, it’s good for us. I’m enjoying having these guys.”