By BOB LABBE / For the Record

MADISON – The great outdoors through hunting and fishing is what Logan Stenberg loves to do allowing him to get away from the chaotic life of being a college student/athlete. His family owns a farm among the rolling hills of Tennessee and it’s not uncommon to see Stenberg there enjoying what Mother Nature provides.

His encounters with nature are a far cry from what he is currently accomplishing as a starting offensive lineman for the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference. The former All-State, three-star recruit from James Clemens High is being touted in one pre-season rankings as a second-team All-SEC pick. The 6-foot-6 and a half inch, 325-pound specimen of a collegiate athlete is a redshirt sophomore for Kentucky. The status means he is a sophomore as a player and will be a junior in the classroom where he carries a 3.0 GPA in his efforts to earn a degree in marketing management.

“I’m taking two classes this summer in calculus and accounting and will of course have a full load of 15 hours this fall,” said Stenberg after arriving back in the house he lives in just off the Kentucky campus with three roommates after visiting his parents in Madison for a month. “Even while in Madison I worked out five days a week at James Clemens and helped some of the current players for the Jets by giving them tips on how to be better athletes and what college athletics is all about.”

The 20-year was asked just that. How is college football compared to high school?

“Of course the speed, size, etc. are the biggest differences, but I feel the most difficult part of making the transition from high school to college is managing your time,” stated Stenberg. “With workouts, class, practice and homework, all of those don’t leave me with a lot of time for anything else. The biggest challenge is accomplishing your goals of on the football field and in the classroom.”

To help the athletes, the school provides a tutor system called “CATS.” According to Stenberg, the tutors not only help the athletes for some of the classes, they also study with the athletes and help work out problems and setup a guideline to follow on how to manage your time properly. Stenberg added, “They are usually very helpful.”

After a redshirt season in 2015 of practicing every day with the team and dressing out for each home game, Stenberg played in every game but one for the Wildcats in 2016. The SEC East school was 7-7 overall including 4-4 in the conference during the 2016 season. Kentucky lost a heartbreaker to Southern Miss in the New Year’s Eve TaxSlayer Bowl 44-35 after having a 35-7 lead. Stenberg spoke of his and the remainder of the Kentucky team roster’s outlook for 2017. He said, “We were not satisfied with last year. We start our season schedule with a rematch against Southern Miss and have something to prove. I believe with our talent we can beat anybody on our schedule.”

Stenberg stressed the fact playing college football is much like a job. The players practice each day and travel often for away games. With all of that on the schedule, they also attend class. Stenberg added, “I look forward to hitting my bed each night as I’m usually exhausted.”

As son to David and Kimberly Stenberg, the hefty size player with a tender side of a cordial personality also works when he can as a youth baseball umpire. He began handling the umpire duties at Madison’s Palmer Park while in high school. His girlfriend attends Auburn. All in all, Stenberg relishes in where his life has taken him to Big Blue Country. He understands his position in college life and as an All-SEC level football player. His goal each day is simple. “Be the best I can be,” said Stenberg.