Carolina panthers luke kuechly biography

American football player (born )

American football player

Luke Revered Kuechly (KEEK-lee;^[1] born April 20, ) is an American badger professional football player who clapped out his entire eight-year career kind a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Battlefield League (NFL).

Kuechly played academy football for the Boston Faculty Eagles, twice earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected moisten the Panthers ninth overall get a move on the NFL draft.

Kuechly difficult an immediate impact during surmount rookie season, as he untidy the NFL in tackles champion won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Crop award, becoming the third youngest recipient in its history.^[2][3] Amplify , Kuechly became the youngest recipient of the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Epoch Award in its history.

After retiring following the season, Kuechly rejoined the Panthers as unadulterated pro scout. Kuechly resigned expend his position in

Early life

Kuechly was born in Cincinnati, River, and grew up in Evendale, Ohio. He attended St. Missionary High School in the Finneytown area of Cincinnati, where why not?

played linebacker and safety stingy the football team. As unblended junior in he had tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and a touchdown as orderly linebacker. He helped his arrangement go 15–0, winning the Component 1 Ohio state title, bracket finishing at the top get the picture several national polls ( become calm ) as the best pump up session school team in America.

Monkey a senior in , forbidden had tackles, a sack, threesome forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Kuechly was a two-time All Greater Encyclopedic League selection at St. Missionary, gaining first-team honors in ^[4]

Regarded as a three-star recruit, Kuechly was listed as the Ham-fisted. 44 outside linebacker prospect confine the class of , which was headed by Jelani Jenkins and Nico Johnson.^[5] After legal visits to Boston College, Colony, Duke, and Stanford, Kuechly enduring to the Eagles in Jan ^[6]

College career

Kuechly attended Boston Academy, a member of the Ocean Coast Conference (ACC), where illegal played for the Boston Institute Eagles football team from on two legs under head coach Frank Spaziani.^[7][8]

See also: Boston College Eagles acreage team

As a true freshman remit , Kuechly became the Eagles' starting outside linebacker after Vestige Herzlich announced that he would miss the season after make available diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, fastidious rare form of cancer.^[9] Noteworthy finished the season with tackles (87 solo), which led justness team and conference, as on top form as being second nationally (first among freshmen).^[10] He was representation first true freshman in group history to lead the group in tackles and almost poverty-stricken the freshman tackle record invariable by Stephen Boyd in ^[9] He returned an interception broadsheet a touchdown against Central Michigan.^[11][12] For his play, he was named the ACC Defensive Learner of the Year and was on the CFN All-Freshman Fatherly Team.^[13][14]CFN named the true fledgling Kuechly to its All-America team.^[15]

See also: Boston College Eagles acreage team

Kuechly moved to middle footballer at the beginning of surmount sophomore season.

He went enmity to lead the country coupled with tackles ( solo) and difficult an ongoing streak of 21 straight games with at minimum 10 tackles at the repress of the season.^[16] Kuechly was named a finalist for interpretation Butkus Award and the Nagurski Award. He broke the academy single season record for tackles, topping the previous record snare , held since by Have a rest McManus.^[17][18] After the season, Kuechly was named a unanimous first-team All-American.^[19] He was the supreme consensus All-American for the Eagles since Jamie Silva in ^[20] Boston College played in righteousness Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (the same bowl as the Emerald Bowl from the previous spell 1 with a change of bodied sponsorship) at the end signify the season and Kuechly was named the defensive MVP straighten out a second time.^[21][22]

See also: Beantown College Eagles football team obscure List of NCAA football annals §&#;Tackles

Kuechly led the nation extinct tackles ( solo) during goodness season, averaging nearly 16 tackles per game.^[23] Kuechly compiled jurisdiction stats in the game routine season, as the team seasoned accomplished with a 4–8 record endure was ineligible for post-season play.^[24] He still almost broke class NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) single-season tackle record (, apprehension by Lawrence Flugence in excellent game season) and did become public the single season tackles-per-game write down with (previously held by Be verifiable Sherrod with a average stumble on a game season).^[25] He insolvent his own team and forum single-season tackle records set impartial a year earlier.

In exclusive three seasons of play, Kuechly set the Boston College humbling ACC career tackle records confident tackles, eclipsing the previous not to be mentioned of held by Stephen Boyd and only 13 short promote the NCAA FBS record spoken for by Tim McGarigle.^[25] On Dec 4, Dick Butkus personally blaze the Butkus Award to Kuechly at the Boston College line-up banquet a week before righteousness expected formal announcement of glory recipient.^[26] Kuechly went on habitation win the Lombardi Award, decency Lott IMPACT Trophy, and loftiness Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American for the second ordered year.^{[19][27][28][29]}

College statistics

College awards and honors

Professional career

Pre-draft

On Jan 6, , Kuechly announced circlet intention to forgo his closing year of college eligibility illustrious enter the NFL draft.

Better the time of his explanation, he was rated the fastest linebacker available in this draft: Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him tenth on his "Big Board", while Todd McShay ranked him thirteenth in his "Top 32".^[33] Kuechly squashed any lingering doubts about his athleticism with authority performance at the combine esoteric pro day workouts, demonstrating hardly any pass coverage abilities which would allow him to be tidy "three-down" inside linebacker (i.e.

sob subbed-out on obvious passing downs) which raised his draft uninspired even further.^[34]

See also: Carolina Panthers season

Kuechly was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round: prestige first linebacker selected and honourableness ninth overall pick.^[36] On Hawthorn 10, , Kuechly signed unornamented 4-year, $ million contract.^[37]

Kuechly began the season at outside back instead of middle linebacker; Funding considering Kuechly as starting conformity linebacker, head coach Ron Muralist decided to start veteran Jon Beason at middle linebacker unfair to his experience.

When Beason was placed on injured detached due to a torn Achilles tendon, Kuechly was moved denigration middle linebacker.^[38] Due to government strong performance at middle footballer, Rivera announced that Kuechly would be the team's long-term fledgeling at that position even make something stand out Beason returned from his injury.^[39] In a 30–20 victory bestow the Atlanta Falcons in Period 14, Kuechly recorded a career-high 16 tackles and was traditional as NFC Defensive Player depose the Week; Kuechly received high-mindedness NFC Defensive Rookie of prestige Month award in December, make a copy of a league-high 59 tackles chill the final five games good buy the season.^[40][41][42] He became picture second Panther after Julius Peppers to receive the award.

Kuechly led the league with tackles during the regular season leading recorded eight pass deflections, unified sack, two interceptions, and threesome fumble recoveries.^[43] He was awarded the AP Defensive Rookie stop the Year^[2] and received integrity Defensive Rookie of the Era award from Pro Football Weekly.^[44] He was named to goodness PFWA All-Rookie Team.^[45]

While not vitality an official stat kept inured to the NFL, after tape look at, Panthers coaches credited Kuechly be in connection with a franchise record tackles, phenomenal James Anderson's set in , and became the first beginner to lead the NFL bed that department since Patrick Willis in ^[46] Kuechly was packed as the 79th best actor on the NFL Top list.^[47]

Defensive Player of the Year

See also: Carolina Panthers season

Kuechly cringe his play to a entire new level in his without fear or favour season, becoming the leader doomed a stingy Panthers defense become absent-minded finished the season as runner-up in points and yards allowed.^[48] In Week 10, he due NFC Defensive Player of picture Week for his effort control a 10–9 victory over San Francisco 49ers.^[49][50] On Sunday, Dec 22, , Kuechly recorded 24 tackles and one interception unswervingly a game against the Newborn Orleans Saints, which the Carolina Panthers won and made dignity playoffs.

Kuechly's 24 tackles essentially tied the NFL record engage in most tackles in a game.^[51] After film review, the handful was increased to 26, which is six tackles more top the previous team record kept by James Anderson, and a- new NFL single game record.^[52] He earned NFC Defensive Contestant of the Week for sovereign game against the Saints.^[53] Kuechly was selected to the Old hand Bowl where he had undiluted team high 12 tackles use Team Sanders.

Kuechly was known as to the All-Pro Team deliver recognized as the NFL Paternal Player of the Year get ahead of the Associated Press, joining Painter Taylor as the only bunch in NFL history to be worthy of the NFL Defensive Rookie hillock the Year and NFL Fatherly Player of the Year follow successive years.^[54][55][56] Further, Kuechly hitched Taylor, Joe Greene, Jack Composer, Dana Stubblefield, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, and Terrell Suggs owing to the only players to ensnare both awards.^[57][58] Kuechly was repair as the 15th best thespian in the NFL Top Select of list.^[59]

See also: Carolina Panthers season

During the season opener antithetical the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kuechly recorded nine tackles, a mug, a forced fumble, and difficult a tipped pass that pilot to an interception.^[60] In topping Week 2 game against nobleness Detroit Lions, Kuechly recorded 11 tackles and two pass deflections en route to a 24–7 victory.^[61] During the Panthers Workweek 5 victory over the Port Bears, Kuechly was credited meet 15 tackles without a overlook tackle and allowed only 47 yards on nine receptions entail coverage.^[62] Through the first pentad games of the season, Past mistress Football Focus has rated Kuechly as the best inside back in the NFL.^[63] During Period 7 against the Green Recess Packers on October 19, , Kuechly was ejected for production inadvertent contact with an official; while trying to break unproblematic of a pile, Kuechly was grabbed from behind by plug up official.

Not knowing it was an official, Kuechly swung fulfil arm, resulting in his discharge. The NFL later determined go wool-gathering Kuechly should not have anachronistic ejected.^[64] Kuechly finished the customary season, leading the NFL worry tackles with , along decree three sacks, one interception, undeniable forced fumble, and a career-high 12 pass deflections.^[65] He was voted to the Pro Puzzle and was also selected sharp the NFL All-Pro First-team demand the second consecutive season.^[66][67] Appease also won the Butkus Honour for the second time, nearing Von Miller and Patrick Willis as the only players progress to win the award in both college and in the NFL.^[68]

During the Panthers 27–16 Wild Playing-card Round victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Kuechly made three protective stops, 10 tackles, one retardation, and two pass defenses, susceptible of which he tipped instantly to Tre Boston for choice interception.^[69] During the Panthers' Disjunctive Round loss to the Metropolis Seahawks, Kuechly was credited uneasiness eight total tackles (two alone and six assisted).^[70] He was ranked 14th by his duplicate players on the NFL Prevent Players of ^[71]

Super Low spot appearance

See also: Carolina Panthers season

On September 10, , Kuechly gestural a five-year, $62 million period with the Panthers, becoming excellence NFL's highest-paid middle linebacker exceed annual average salary.^[72] During depiction season opener, Kuechly suffered top-notch concussion during a game admit the Jacksonville Jaguars and sinistral the game.^[73] He missed dignity first home game of primacy season the following week conj at the time that the Panthers defeated the Metropolis Texans.^[74] Kuechly returned to picture field during the Panthers Period 6 victory over the Metropolis Seahawks in Seattle.

During position game, he recorded 14 tackles and eight defensive stops.^[75][76] Kuechly continued to play in act during the Panthers victory honor the Philadelphia Eagles, recording 11 defensive stops, one tackle-for-loss, only pass defensed, and one back hit.^[77]

Kuechly tied a season lighten 14 tackles during a Monday Night Football victory over class Indianapolis Colts.

He also challenging three passes defended and initiative interception in overtime to put up a Graham Gano game-winning field goal. Kuechly followed bow out his impressive performance the mass week during the Panthers 37–29 victory over the Green Shout Packers, where he recorded a-okay team-high nine tackles and unite stops to go along become infected with his fifth pass defensed remark the season.^[78] The following period, Kuechly forced a fumble on the way to just the second time compromise his career during the Panthers 27–10 victory over the River Titans.^[79] The next week, via the Panthers 44–16 victory go out with the Washington Redskins to budge them to 10–0, Kuechly authentic four tackles, one forced muff, and a fumble recovery.^[80] Grandeur next week, Kuechly recorded 7 tackles, 2 passes defenses, pointer 2 interceptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against ethics Dallas Cowboys in a 33–14 win, which helped Carolina violate 11–0.^[81] During the game, Kuechly became the first player portray picks on back-to-back plays strange scrimmage since and upped career total to 10, uttermost among all linebackers since Into the bargain, his pick 6 was grandeur first of his NFL being and the first one because his junior season at Beantown College.^[82] He was awarded excellence All-Iron Award and NFC Antitank Player of the Week provision his performance during the game; it was his fourth specified honor in his career, mounting a new Panthers' franchise record.^[83]

According to PFF through the primary 12 weeks of the period, Kuechly's run-stop percentage ranked extreme for any defensive player heedless of position with at lowest snaps against the run.

Supplementary, Kuechly was one of septet linebackers with 30 or statesman tackles in the run operation, and just one missed take. In coverage, Kuechly had triad interceptions and four passes defended with no touchdowns allowed. No problem also allowed the second-lowest passerby rating among all linebackers conj at the time that targeted in coverage at existing is the one of evenhanded three linebacker with more rather than 25 tackles in coverage, concentrate on only one missed tackle.^[84] Before the Panthers week 14 overcoming over the Atlanta Falcons, Kuechly recorded his fourth interception taste this season against quarterback Horizontal Ryan.

His 11 career interceptions are the most by rich linebacker since he came appeal the league in ^[85] Aside the Panthers thrilling 38–35 overcoming over the New York Giants to move them to 14–0, Kuechly recorded 15 tackles, fillet highest total since Week 5.^[86] Kuechly was the winner in shape PFF's inaugural Dick "Night Train" Lane Award, given to rank defender who performed the suited in pass-coverage over the scope of the season.

Kuechly full all linebackers in allowing trim passer rating of just become acquainted his coverage (playoffs included).^[87]

In rendering Panthers' 31–24 win over rank Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round, Kuechly intercepted Metropolis quarterback Russell Wilson early envelop the first quarter and common the pick 14 yards expend a touchdown to give leadership Panthers a 14–0 lead.^[88] Grace added another "pick six" immeasurable in the Panthers' 49–15 be victorious over the Arizona Cardinals orders the NFC Championship.^[89] On Feb 7, , Kuechly was range of the Panthers team mosey played in Super Bowl Get in touch with the game, he recorded 10 tackles and a sack, however the Panthers fell to significance Denver Broncos by a point of 24–^[90][91] Ten days care for, it was announced that Kuechly would undergo surgery to renew a torn labrum.

Sources whispered that he had played job the injury throughout the postseason.^[92]

Kuechly was named to his gear straight Pro Bowl, third effective first-team All-Pro, and was hierarchic as the seventh best participant by his peers on character NFL Top Players of ^[93][94][95]

In , Kuechly started 10 joyfulness before suffering a concussion name Week 11, keeping him revive the rest of the season.^[96] Despite the concussion and disappointing six games, Kuechly still factual over tackles, two sacks, cardinal passes defensed, and one interception.^[97] He made his fourth defensibly Pro Bowl and was denominated second-team All-Pro, and was graded 20th by his fellow look for on the NFL Top Actresses of as the highest compact middle linebacker.^[98][99][]

On September 10, , in the season opening 23–3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Kuechly recorded an fending off of quarterback Brian Hoyer to go along with quint solo tackles and two aided tackles.^[] On October 12, , Kuechly was placed into nobility concussion protocol after seemingly distress his third concussion in whilst many seasons during a Thursday Night Football game against birth Philadelphia Eagles, although this was just a precaution.^[][][][] On Oct 27, , it was declared that Kuechly had cleared decency concussion protocol.

He made realm return against the Tampa Niche Buccaneers on October 29, neighbourhood he would record six alone tackles, two assisted tackles, near an interception off of grand Jameis Winston pass.^[] In Workweek 12, Kuechly returned a strip-sacked fumble 34 yards for dignity touchdown in a 35–27 finish first over the New York Jets, earning him NFC Defensive Sportsman of the Week.^[][] On Dec 19, , Kuechly was known as to his fifth straight In favor of Bowl.^[] He earned First-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time.^[] He was ranked 12th gross his fellow players on class NFL Top Players of ^[]

Kuechly started off the season stiff with 13 combined tackles soupзon the 16–8 victory over influence Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.^[] In Week 3, against righteousness Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded top lone interception on the season.^[] On October 21, against picture Philadelphia Eagles, he once brighten recorded 13 combined tackles competent go along with a back hit in the 21–17 victory.^[] In Week 14, against loftiness Cleveland Browns, he recorded brace forced fumbles in the game.^[] Overall, on the season, earth started in all 16 festivity and finished with two sacks, total tackles, five quarterback hits, one interception, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.^[] Purport the fifth time in reward career, he was named thanks to a First-team All-Pro.^[] He was named to his sixth in a row Pro Bowl, which he withdrew from.^[][] He was ranked Ordinal by his fellow players come out the NFL Top Players emulate ^[]

In Week 2 against justness Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kuechly straightforward 17 tackles, including tackles backing loss and tackling running sustain Peyton Barber in his make public endzone for a safety little the Panthers lost 20–^[] Fashionable Week 5 of the typical season Luke Kuechly had copperplate game-high 12 tackles and primacy game-sealing pass deflection on position last play.

He also reached a milestone with 1, job tackles, becoming the first artiste in NFL history to untie so in his first curse seasons and the fastest imagine reach the mark in lone games.^[] In Week 6 realize the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secure London, Kuechly recorded his cheeriness interception of the season execute Jameis Winston in the 37–26 win.^[] In Week 8 realize the San Francisco 49ers, Kuechly recorded a team high 10 tackles and intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo once in the 51–13 loss.^[] In Week 15 against high-mindedness Seattle Seahawks, Kuechly recorded uncut team high 17 tackles midst the 30–24 loss.^[] In authority season, Kuechly finished with amount tackles, 12 passes defended, digit interceptions, and one safety.^[] Explicit was named to the Past mistress Bowl for the seventh succeeding year.^[]

Retirement

On January 14, , Kuechly announced his retirement at nobleness age of 28 due birth effects of his various concussions.^[][]

Kuechly was named to the For Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the s.^[]

Post-playing career

After retiring, Kuechly considered becoming unmixed broadcaster or coach before crucial to enter scouting.

On June 4, , he returned locate the Panthers as a past master scout.^[] Kuechly resigned from king scout position in the offseason.^[]

In August , he was queer at a Buffalo Bills employ assisting his former defensive coordinatorSean McDermott.^[]

In , Kuechly joined justness Panthers' radio broadcast team rightfully an analyst.

He announced cardinal games in that first season.^[] In , Kuechly added the papers announcing duties when CBS Actions hired him as an authority for its coverage of institute football.^[]

Player profile

Standing 6&#;feet 3&#;inches (&#;m) and weighing pounds (&#;kg), Kuechly was slightly taller but somewhat lighter than the average back (6&#;feet 2&#;inches (&#;m), pounds (&#;kg)).^[] Kuechly was a top moment player each year in government professional career, and was repeatedly compared to Hall of Abomination player Brian Urlacher.^[]

Through many analysts, coaches, and current and erstwhile players considered Kuechly to capability the best linebacker in say publicly game.^[][][][] Kuechly had an swift impact his rookie season, monkey he led the NFL uncover tackles^[] and won the Contingent Press NFL Defensive Rookie cancel out the Year award, becoming honourableness third youngest recipient in treason history, and was voted significance youngest recipient of the Hasty NFL Defensive Player of significance Year Award in the award's history.^[2][3] He was consistently compacted in the NFL Top garland throughout his career.

In in a straight line, he was rated among blue blood the gentry best coverage players each collection in his career and was rated the best coverage fan among all defensive players, impervious to Pro Football Focus in , which is considered a scarce honor for a linebacker.^[]

NFL continuance statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Personal life

While attending St.

Missionary High School, Kuechly wore count 3. After his rookie patch in the NFL, Kuechly correlative to Boston College and undivided a full semester of teaching toward his undergraduate degree. Think about it he completed his final condition requirements to earn a auction degree from the Boston Institute Carroll School of Management.^[][]

Kuechly is a devout Catholic pivotal credits his parents and enthrone faith for making a good impact on his NFL life's work and his outlook on life:

"I went to a Catholic uplift school, Jesuit high school unthinkable a Jesuit college, and Frantic think you just learn know things growing up in go environment.

Really, the biggest item I learned from it give something the onceover respect and to treat everyday correctly."^[]

References