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PROVO, Utah (April 27, 2008) -- 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.
KELLY POPPINGA 6-2, 240 Evanston, WY / Utah State
At BYU SENIOR - (2007): Earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors ... earned All-Mountain West Conference second-team honors ... led the Cougars with 113 tackles ... averaged 8.7 tackles per game ... totaled 46 solo tackles and 67 assisted takedowns ... posted a team, season-high 17 tackles in the COugars' 27-22 victory over TCU ... credited with an interception, including a 22-yard return on the season ... had five pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries.
JUNIOR - (2006): Earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors ... played in all 13 games for the Cougars ... credited with 36 tackles, including 15 solo and 21 assisted takedowns ... had 3.5 tackles for a combined loss of 12 yards ... had two sacks for nine yards ... credited with two interceptions ... a significant contributor on a defensive unit that gave up only 14.7 points per game, ranking 10th nationally ... part of a defense that ranked fourth nationally in turnover margin with +14 turnover margin (+1.08 pg).
REDSHIRT - (2005): Redshirted the 2005 season after transferring from Utah State.
Before BYU Was a first-team all-state selection as a 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 ... also played basketball and competed in track ... was an all-state selection in both of those sports as well, winning the state championship in the discus his senior year (162-10).
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 ... wife's name is Rebekah.
Other College Saw action as a backup linebacker as well as on special teams as a true freshman in 2003 at Utah State ... 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.
