Younghoe Koo's College Football Career: From Georgia Southern Eagle to NFL Star

Younghoe Koo, a name now synonymous with clutch field goals and special teams excellence in the NFL, embarked on his football journey long before his professional debut. Born in Seoul, South Korea, on August 3, 1994, Koo's early athletic pursuits were rooted in soccer. His family moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. He then began playing football at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he earned team MVP honors as a senior. This article delves into Koo's formative years as a college football player for the Georgia Southern Eagles, highlighting his achievements, accolades, and the foundation he built for his subsequent NFL career.

Early Years and High School Success

Before achieving national recognition, Koo honed his skills at Ridgewood High School. As a four-year starter, he consistently earned First-Team All-Big North League honors as a kicker. In his senior year, he made all 32 of his PATs and had six field goals, with a long of 41 yards. He recorded touchbacks on 47 of 50 kickoffs, with 26 going out of the end zone. Over his high school career, he scored 151 points in the kicking game. His contributions extended beyond kicking, as he also played as a defensive back, leading the Maroons with six interceptions in 2012 and registering 59 tackles and nine pass deflections. He was recognized as an all-county first-team pick as a kicker and first-team All-Northern New Jersey as a defensive back.

Transition to Georgia Southern University

Following his successful high school career, Koo joined the Georgia Southern Eagles. He played four seasons. During this time, he solidified his reputation as a reliable and impactful kicker.

2013-2014: Freshman Year and SoCon Recognition

Koo made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning a spot on the SoCon All-Freshman Special Teams team, as voted by the league's coaches. He showcased his strong leg with a 49-yard field goal at Elon, contributing to a 17-6 lead for the Eagles. He finished the season with five field goals and 25 PATs, totaling 40 points, which placed him third on the team's scoring list. His first collegiate field goal attempt was a 38-yarder against Saint Francis (Pa.). He demonstrated his clutch ability early on, hitting three field goals (32, 40, 26 yards), with two coming in the fourth quarter, against Appalachian State.

Upperclassman Success

In his final season at Georgia Southern University, Koo's exceptional performance earned him first-team all-conference honors in the Sun Belt Conference. He converted 19 of 20 field goal attempts. He became a finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2016, an honor bestowed upon the nation's best college kicker. By the end of his college career, Koo had an impressive field goal conversion rate of 88.6%.

College Statistics and Accolades

Koo's college career was marked by consistent performance and recognition. His achievements include:

SoCon All-Freshman Special Teams Selection (2013-14)
First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference (Senior Year)
Lou Groza Award Finalist (2016)
88.6% Field Goal Conversion Rate

From College to the NFL: Undrafted Free Agent

After the 2017 NFL draft, Koo signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. Despite not being selected in the draft, he quickly proved his worth, winning the starting kicker job for the team.

NFL Career

Los Angeles Chargers (2017)

Koo's NFL career began with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He won the starting kicker job but faced early challenges. In his first NFL game, his 44-yard field goal attempt to tie the game against the Denver Broncos was blocked, resulting in a Chargers loss. Despite making all his kicks in the subsequent two games, the Chargers released him after Week 4, opting for a more experienced kicker.

Alliance of American Football (AAF)

After being released by the Chargers, Koo joined the Atlanta Legends in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. He made history by scoring the first points in the league. He kicked two field goals, including a 33-yard game-winner, to secure the Legends' first victory. The following week, he made all three of his kicks, including a 35-yard game-winner with nine seconds remaining, earning him the AAF Special Teams Player of the Week award. However, the AAF ceased operations in April 2019.

Atlanta Falcons (2019-Present)

Koo's NFL career was revitalized when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on October 29, 2019. In his debut game with the Falcons, he made all four of his field goals and both of his extra points, contributing to a win against the New Orleans Saints. He successfully executed three onside kicks against the Saints in Week 13. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Falcons on February 18, 2020.

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In 2020, Koo had a standout season, making a career-high five field goals in a win against the Las Vegas Raiders. By Week 13, he was the NFL's leading scorer, having made 32 of 33 field goals and 23 extra points. His exceptional performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.

Koo continued to be a clutch performer for the Falcons. In Week 3 of 2021, he made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the New York Giants. He made another game-winning field goal in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

On March 15, 2022, Koo signed a five-year, $24.25 million contract extension with the Falcons. In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, he made a game-winning 41-yard field goal in overtime. In Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, he made another game-winning field goal as time expired.

In Week 2 of 2023, he kicked a go-ahead field goal with less than a minute left to beat the Green Bay Packers. In Week 5, he kicked a field goal as time expired to win against the Houston Texans. In Week 7, he kicked a game-winning 51-yard field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Koo made all four of his field goals against the New Orleans Saints, including a career-long 58-yard field goal in the final seconds to secure a win for the Falcons.

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