Kentucky Football Super Senior Citizens Prepare for 17th(?) Training Camp

They’ve been Kentucky Wildcats through three different presidential administrations. Now Kentucky Football Super Senior Citizens Luke Fortner and Justin Rigg are preparing for one final season in the Bluegrass.

Just the thought of training camp has the two ready to put down the Werther’s Originals and bust out the Bengay. “As soon as you hear it, back, joint, knees, hips, wrist, everything (hurts).”

Fortner and Rigg arrived on Kentucky’s campus in 2016. Rigg was the heir apparent to C.J. Conrad at tight end. Conrad has now coached Rigg for as many years (3) as the two played together.

More than your typical college football veterans, the two players were able to receive a sixth season of college football eligibility by using a COVID-19 waiver that allowed them to redo the 2020 season. All joking aside, the extra years gives them a chance to prove they can play on Sundays, while pursuing graduate degrees and winning more games at Kroger Field.

Few college athletes may benefit more from the extra year than Fortner. Already holding a masters’ degree in mechanical engineering, he’ll also be able to earn his MBA this fall and potentially become a day two NFL draft pick. After starting for two straight years at right guard, he’s kicking over to center on the Big Blue Wall this fall, filling a position of need and showing versatility that’s coveted by NFL scouts.

“I already told Coach Marrow if he needs another person to switch to tight end…,” Fortner joked. “I don’t know why he picked Izayah Cummings and not me.”

Now on their sixth training camp, the two know the physical demands all too well. What’s refreshing is that this camp will be unlike its predecessors, tasked to master a new offense from Liam Coen.

“We’ve experienced so much, we know what to do,” said Rigg.

“We’ve learned a ton of new things with the offense,” Fortner said. “If we were doing the old offense still, it would definitely be more monotonous, but with the new offense, I have so much to learn. It really has been helpful.”

Even though they’ve been around the block a time or two or ten, each player is eager to take the Wildcats to new heights. Rigg has his calendar set for a December date in Atlanta. Fortner, wise beyond his years, is just looking forward to the first Saturday in September.

“I know it sounds cheesy, but I just want to win football games,” said the Kentucky offensive lineman. “There’s nothing better than walking off the field with a win week after week.”