Class of 2027 tight end prospect Izak Koep became a name to know after being selected to the Youth1 NextUp watch list. Koep, a 5-foot-9, 145-pound athlete out of Georgia, also plays the wide receiver and running back position. During this past football season, he played for both Jefferson Middle School and FBU GFL.
“Back in fourth grade, my friend’s parents told me that I should play football because I would be scoring touchdowns during recess at school,” Koep said when asked about what led him to start playing football. “My friend ended up telling his football coach and that’s what really lead me to playing football.” According to Koep, his love for the game developed after playing ten games. “After I scored my first touchdown, I started loving the game,” said Koep. “I feel great when I score a touchdown that helps my team score more points and get a lead over the other team.”
Koep recently finished up a very successful 2021 season which saw him catch 23 passes for 574 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is mature enough to realize that his success on the football field is a result of great teammates helping him succeed as a football player. “I know that if we didn’t have a good offensive line, I wouldn’t be able to score touchdowns,” said Koep. “If I didn’t have a good quarterback, I wouldn’t be able to make plays.” Koep says that him and the quarterback he played with this past season have been playing together for the past few years.
After watching his highlights, Koep’s willingness to block for his teammates stands out. That aspect of his game is something he takes pride in doing. “I do like catching the football, but I also like to block people,” said Koep. “I like the feeling that I get when I do something good for my team.” Koep feels blessed to have the talent he has to play the game of football. “I was gifted by God with the talent to play football,” said Koep. “I work hard everyday to improve as a football player. I think if you ask any of my teammates, they would say that they love to play with me.”
After talking with Koep, I learned of some of his other interests outside of playing football. He told me that his favorite school subject is social studies because he likes to learn about history. Koep also likes to play PS4 with his friends and says his favorite game is Madden NFL. Speaking of the NFL, he said that his two favorite players are current NFL tight end Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) and former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings, New England, etc.). “I like his (Kyle Pitts) athleticism and his ability to go up and catch the football over people,” Koep said when asked what he likes about Kyle Pitts.
Koep has a busy offseason planned during the upcoming months. The SHOW by NextGen, FBU Camp, and the Southern Exposure Showcase are a few of the events that he plans on attending. In the meantime, he will be working hard on his craft. “I work out at 5 a.m. before school, I lift weights, and I also practice running routes in my neighborhood’s street,” Koep said when asked what he will be doing this offseason to get better as a football player. He’s had a lot of help along the way to get him where he’s at now both as a football player and as a person off the field. Koep has two people in particular that he feels very grateful to have in his life.
“I would like to give thanks to my parents for letting me play football and driving e to practices. I also would like to thank them for letting me work out during the mornings. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I have today."
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Ed O'Brien @EdOBrienCFB 3 minutes ago