Don’t know if it’s caught your eye the last few days, but super-athlete WSU recruit from the SPSL, Kevin Kooyman, has been winning athlete of the year awards left and right. First the News Tribune, then the Seattle Times followed suit (even over Jesus Christ Junior, Jake Locker?? To read the Times gush on Locker, ugh. Talk about man-crush!).
Here’s what I’ve found out about this kid, some saying he could blossom into the next Rien Long:
3.9 GPA, wants to get an MBA.
Family very important in his life.
Wrestled and won two straight 215lb state titles.
Now at 6’6″ and 235lbs but “doesn’t plan on stopping there”. Some project he’ll get to 280-290 and barely miss a step once he gets into an NCAA strength program.
1st Team All SPSL at TE & DE for 2nd straight year.
SPSL OL of year
Seattle Times “All Area”All State
8th in 4A shotput at state track meet. Missed qualifying for 110 HURDLES (!) by an eyelash, was alternate for state meet in 100 hurdles but no one dropped out. 6-6, 235 and almost qualifies for state 110 hurdles?? Wow. That’s explosive strength in a gignatic frame.
WSU coaches told him he could play either TE, OT or DE but he feels his future is at DE (he’s that athletic). His own goal, stated in a few interviews lately, is to be an “All American”.
A three sport star who feels that football is his best sport and that he will improve by being able to now focus entirely on the sport.
My UW “source” claims he’s going to be big-time, and is tremendous off the field. While UW has been happy with their recent classes in regards to in-state talent, no doubt they know they missed on him. For some reason TW wasn’t thrilled with him…..I won’t get into the reasons why. Compares favorably to Mkristo, but is even better at this stage. Remember Mkristo was a QB in high school and was only projected as a top-flight D-end in the right situation.
Finally, he was named Seattle Times “Male Athlete of the Year” for this year, AND the News Tribune Male Athlete of the Year. Don’t undersell what that means, as thousands of kids play high school sports in Washington, but he was the best by both news organizations (and a WSU recruit as well? That must have been extremely painful FOR THEM!)
Check out the Cougfan story on him. As the headline says, he is one fo the most decorated WSU recruits of all-time, approaching Rypien in regards to high school “fame”. While it’s doubtful he’ll play much, if at all, his true frosh year, the more you read about him, the more it seems possible he could at least be a special teams guy. And in 2007, there will be a gaping hole when Mkristo moves on to the NFL, so if he shows what they think, he’ll be starting by next fall. A lot can happen, of course, but you have to be excited about what is coming!
http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=137&p=2&c=538728
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