Career Summary
Kelly Poppinga transferred to BYU from Utah State, where he saw action as a backup linebacker and special teams. Poppinga went on to earn All-MWC and Academic All-MWC honors as a linebacker in both his junior and senior years. The two-time letterwinner led the Cougars with 113 tackles his senior year and helped BYU win back-to-back conference championships in 2006 and 2007.
Professional
- Signed free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins in 2008
- Played on three teams before going to the Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals
Personal
- Born in Evanston, Wyo.
- Son of Dennis and Vicki Poppinga
- Has three sisters and two brothers
- Brother, Casey, was a starting tight end for Utah State who enjoyed a career in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and 2004 NFC Champions Philadelphia Eagles
- Brother, Brady, was an All-MWC performer at BYU and currently plays for the Green Bay Packers
- Served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Married Rebekah
Before BYU
High School
- First-team all-state selection as a high school senior after earning second-team all-state honors as a junior
- Helped team to the state championship as a sophomore
- Played both linebacker and tight end
- All-state selection in both basketball and track
- Won the state championship in the discus his senior year (162-10).
Utah State
- Saw action as a backup linebacker as well as on special teams as a true freshman in 2003
- Recorded five tackles on the year, while missing four games in the middle of the season due to an injury
- Had one tackle for loss
- Recovered a fumble against Nebraska
- Ranked third on the Utah State roster with 61 tackles as a sophomore (2004)
- Credited with 31 solo tackles
- Credited with five tackles for a combined loss of 22 yards
- Posted on sack for an eight yard loss
Stats
Yr Solo Ast Total TFL/Yds Sacks/Yds Int/Yds PBU QBH FR FF2006 15 21 36 3.5/12 2/9 2/33 1 1 0 0