PROVO -- During the 2008 NFL Draft, linebacker Kelly Poppinga kept hearing the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins were most interested in his services. While neither team drafted him, both teams had standing free-agent offers on the table by early Sunday evening.
"It was a tough decision," Poppinga said. "They both had identical offers and I was really leaning towards Seattle, but at the last second, and I mean literally at the last second, I decided to sign with Miami. If was a really tough decision and I really liked Seattle. Ultimately, I think Miami is the better fit."
Poppinga will find out exact travel details later, but he knows he'll be heading to Miami at the end of the week to get ready for the Dolphins' mini camp.
"I'm really happy to be going to Miami," he said. "It's time to start playing football again."
In Miami, Poppinga will meet up with former teammate John Beck and another BYU alum, John Denney. Beck is entering his second season with the Dolphins and will be challenging for the starting quarterback job during the offseason. Denney, a special teams performer, is entering his fourth season for the Dolphins.
"I think the Dolphins are lucky to get someone like Kelly," Beck said. "I know they will be very happy with his character, work ethic, and the fact that he comes from a winning tradition at BYU."
Poppinga started all 13 games as a senior at BYU, leading the Cougars with a career-best 113 tackles on the season. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound native of Evanston, Wyo., turned in 46 solo tackles and was credited with 7.5 tackles for a combined loss of 18 yards. He also had one interception, five pass break-ups and thee hurries. He was also selected as a second-team All-Mountain West Conference performer and was a two-time Academic All-MWC selection.
Poppinga's brother, Brady, is preparing for his fourth season as an outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.