Josh Kattus Named Finalist for Pop Warner College Football Award
Kentucky tight end Josh Kattus has been named one of five finalists for the 16th annual Pop Warner College Football Award, it was announced today by the Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s preeminent youth football organization. Established in 2010, the award honors a player who has made a positive impact on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, and who serves as a role model to Pop Warner’s young student-athletes. Kattus was also a finalist last season.
The other finalists are Tanner Wall (BYU), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Aaron Graves (Iowa) and Adam Randall (Clemson).
Kattus, a native of Cincinnati, is a senior communication major who is on track to graduate in December of ’25. He boasts a 3.789 grade point average and is also set to receive an undergraduate certificate in business from UK.
The three-year letterwinner has become a role model on and off the field through his unwavering commitment to service, humility and leadership by example.
Kattus started in 11 games this season and totaled 17 catches for 195 yards and two scores before suffering a season-ending injury at Vanderbilt. He was elected one of four game captains vs. Toledo, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt.
His leadership extends far beyond the field, where he actively represents his teammates and fellow student-athletes at the highest levels. He currently 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 also leads the team in community service efforts, volunteering each week at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, spearheading a shoe drive for Camp Horsin’ Around, and participating the last two years in Dancing with the Lexington Stars where he helped raise more than $45,000 for various non-profit organizations.
For his outreach efforts, Kattus has been named to the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and is a current semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. 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.
The Pop Warner Little Scholars National College Football Award will be announced Dec. 10 during the 68th Pop Warner Super Bowl at Camping World Stadium, held Dec. 7-14.
Last year’s winner was Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, recognized for his performance as one of college football’s most dynamic offensive players, his academic achievements and his meaningful community engagement.
Previous recipients include Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Chase Minnifield (Virginia), Sean Renfree (Duke), Gary Bush (Purdue), Jordan Richards (Stanford), Brandon Chubb (Wake Forest), Evan Engram (Mississippi), Braxton Berrios (Miami), CJ Conrad (Kentucky), Michael Pittman Jr. (USC), Ian Book (Notre Dame), Elijah Hicks (California), Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky) and Tony Bradford Jr. (Texas Tech).
