2012 West #70
Kyle Knapp
Defensive Line
6’4″ 270
High School Coach: Mick Enders
High School, Class: Portage Central
College: Syracuse University
Kyle is the son of Dave and Amy Knapp. He has a sister, Natalie who is 16 years old. Kyle grew up in Portage and played all kinds of sports including soccer, baseball, track and basketball. He began playing rocket football in Portage at the age of six and that quickly became his favorite sport.
In high school at Portage Central, Kyle was a four-year letter winner for the Mustangs as well as a three-year starter at right tackle. He was a part of three conference championship teams, two of which won district titles. Kyle was also a team captain and voted best lineman by his coaches his senior year. Kyle received several awards throughout his high school career including national and regional honors such as the Ohio State Nike camp MVP and participating in the prestigious U.S. Army All American National Junior Combine.
Kyle also was an accomplished wrestler in high school as he recorded over 100 wins of which more than 70 of his wins were by pin. He was also involved in Student Government at Portage Central and helped coach softball with the Special Olympics.
Kyle has accepted a scholarship to play football and attend college at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York where he plans to study business and broadcasting.
Kyle thanked his parents, grandparents, Sarah, all of his aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, coach Enders and the rest of the Portage Central coaching staff for supporting him throughout his athletic career. He thanked his “number one fan, his sister Natalie who looks forward to Kyle playing almost as much as he does.”
Awards
SMAC All Conference, ‘09, ‘10 & ‘11
All Area, Kalamazoo Gazette, ‘09, ‘10 & ‘11
1st team All West Region, Michigan Preps, 2011
All Big Man Team, Michigan Preps, 2011
1st team All State Division 1-2, Detroit News, 2011
1st team All State Division 2, Detroit Free Press, 2011
All State Division 1 Special Mention, AP, 2011