Kentucky Football Welcomes Alumni with Open Arms at Citrus Bowl

Attending bowl games is a reward for players and fans at the end of a successful season. It also applies to individuals that fall right in-between both categories, former players. Around 75 UK football alumni are gathering together the night before the Citrus Bowl to reminisce ahead of the game against Iowa.

Early arrivals were invited to watch the Wildcats practice. Of the dozens that watched Kentucky prepare for the Citrus Bowl, two are recent fan favorites, wide receivers Jeff Badet and Garrett “Juice” Johnson.

“It’s such a blessing to see these guys get so much better over the years. I know it had to start with us. You gotta get guys to come in start something to become a success,” said Badet. “Seeing Coach Stoops, I was like, ‘Six straight, huh? You’re the man.’ It’s such a blessing to see these guys go out here an do so good, and be talked about.”

Central Florida natives and current residents, Juice has been preaching the Gospel of Kentucky football louder than usual this season.

“Every Floridian knows what’s going on with Kentucky football, you can believe that,” Johnson said with a smile. “It’s been awesome. Watching the transfers and the younger guys step up, it’s been beautiful.”

Johnson finished his Kentucky career with 2,089 receiving yards, the fourth-most in school history. He did it at a time when Kentucky did not have such a prolific passing offense. There’s no jealousy when he turns on the TV to watch Will Levis throw the ball all over the football field.

“We’re family. I root for em all,” said Johnson. “Seeing the progress, seeing the success, I’m rooting for that. Kudos to all the guys that’s making big time plays.”

No Hard Feelings for Badet

Badet is one of the few high profile departures from the Stoops era that finished playing college football elsewhere. Prior to the transfer portal era of college football, he went to Oklahoma as a grad transfer for the 2017 season. Badet had 400 yards caught three touchdowns to help the Sooners reach the CFB Playoff. His presence at the Citrus Bowl made it pretty clear there are no lingering hard feelings.

“There’s just so much love. To this day I’ll still say that Coach Stoops is one of the realest people I’ve ever met,” said Badet. “The strength coach, Coach Ed who I was probably around most as my time at Kentucky, seeing them embrace me, there’s just so much love.”

Badet and Boom Williams’ early exit following the 2016 left UK’s offense short-handed the following year. A great Kentucky football ‘what if’ moment, I asked Badet if he would have stayed if the offense looked like what it does today with Liam Coen calling the shots.

“That’s a great question. I know me and G (Garrett Johnson) would’ve been putting up some crazy numbers with the offense, I ain’t even gonna lie. As you can see, that quarterback over there is real good.”

Alumni Citrus Bowl Predictions

Each player brought out their crystal ball to project the final score. Badet picked a 27-20 Kentucky win. Juice was much more optimistic. He’s calling for a 28-7 blowout victory for the Wildcats.

“We’re walking away with a big victory, big smiles and we’re taking it back to the Big Blue,” said the former UK wide receiver.