Kelly Poppinga Season 2007

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

Defensive