When the BYU football team lost linebacker Cameron Jensen following the 2006 season, the team lost more than just another senior. It lost valuable leadership skills.
Thanks to Kelly Poppinga, the loss hasn't been nearly as devastating.
The Green Bay Packers drafted Brady Poppinga, his older brother who also played at BYU, in the 2005 NFL draft. Brady was selected during the fifth round as the 125th overall pick.
Kelly's other brother, Casey Poppinga, also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Casey was a member of the 2004 Eagles team that won the NFC Championship and lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
According to Kelly, the benefit of having two brothers who have NFL experience is huge.
"It helps me a ton because they've been through all the battles I'm going through right now and more," he said. "They're able to give me input on what I can do better and how I can improve in certain situations. It's just great to be in contact with those guys every week and learning different things they teach me."
The Cougars allowed an average of just 14.69 points per game in 2006, second in the conference to only TCU.
So far in 2007, that average is slightly higher at 18 points per game. But once again, it's good for second in the conference, behind only Utah.
Poppinga is a huge reason for the defensive success the Cougars have enjoyed in 2007. Poppinga leads the team in tackles with 94. His 38 solo tackles make him second best on the team. Against TCU, Poppinga recorded 17 tackles, a career-high that earned him Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week honors. He also had an interception that was nearly returned for a touchdown early in the third quarter.
"To tell you the truth, I didn't know how many tackles I had," he said. "I knew that I was involved in a lot of tackles. I knew that I was around the ball at the right time. Sometimes I was lucky. It was just a fun game."
According to linebacker Bryan Kehl, Poppinga has been a huge example in terms of stewardship and accountability.
"He does what he's asked and at a high level," Kehl said. "All that he's expected to do, he goes above and beyond. He's had big shoes to fill and he's filled every inch. Every centimeter. He's spectacular. Second to none."
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been more than impressed as well with Poppinga.
"I think Kelly has done a fantastic job," Mendenhall said. "His performance speaks for itself."
Mendenhall said the loss of Jensen was going to be hard on the defense, but he knew Poppinga would thrive in that role.
"The reason I put him where Cameron was is because I viewed him as our best leader and when Cameron left it was his leadership we were going to miss the most," Mendenhall said. "Kelly is a determined and fierce competitor. He's very physical, he's very intelligent and he's just a natural leader. All of those things when you put them at the position we ask him to play, which we think is the leadership position of our defense, we think he's a natural fit. He's done an outstanding job of giving this team an identity and consistency. He emulates all the things we stand for."
Knowing his coach believes in him has been a key reason for Poppinga's continued success.
"You always want your coach to be confident in you," Poppinga said. "It's good that he thinks that and says that. Hopefully I can just continue to have his confidence and help this team win."
Poppinga was born in Evanston, Wyo., located in the southwest corner of the state about 60 miles from Salt Lake City. He served a church mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador and played two years at Utah State prior to coming to BYU. As a sophomore in 2004 he ranked third on the roster with 61 tackles, 31 of which were solo.
Copyright Brigham Young University 27 Nov 2007
