Austin Kafentzis

Austin Kafentzis (born April 10, 1996) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football with the BYU Cougars.

Austin Kafentzis
BYU Cougars – No. 24
PositionLinebacker
ClassGraduate
Career history
College
  • BYU (2017–2019)
Bowl games
High schoolJordan (Sandy, Utah)
Personal information
Born: (1996-04-10) April 10, 1996
Sandy, Utah
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight207 lb (94 kg)
Career highlights and awards
  • MaxPreps HS National Freshman of the Year
  • MaxPreps HS National Sophomore of the Year
  • USA Today HS All-American Second Team (2012)
  • 2012 & 2014 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year
  • Utah Mr. Football (2012)
  • 2014 Utah Football Player of the Year for The Salt Lake Tribune all class football team
  • 2014 POY for KSL
  • 2014 academic Utah HOF inductee
  • First and only high school player in the U.S. to have 100 rushing and passing TD's in a career
  • First and only high school player to hold his own states record in rushing yards (6,942) and passing yards (13,079)
  • Holds national record for Passing TD's in a quarter with (5)
  • One of only 2 players (Maty Mauk) in high school to have over 20,000 yards in total offense
  • Holds 20 Utah state records in football
  • Holds javelin record in Utah 217′ 9½″
  • won state in the javelin 3 times and was 25–1 in competition in high school
  • with only one throw in college as an early enroll freshman with Wisconsin, Kafentzis threw the javelin 203' to have the 3rd best throw of all-time at Wisconsin with the new javelin

High school

As a Freshman at Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah, he led the Jordan Beetdiggers to the 5A state semifinals, where he broke his collarbone. He threw for 3,199 yards on the season, ran for 1,377 yards and was responsible for 45 touchdowns that season. His total offensive yardage placed him at fifth all-time in Utah state history.[1] Kafentzis and his teammates were invited to ESPN's 7-on-7 tournament, an honor no other Utah school had ever accomplished.[2] As a freshman Kafentzis was a first-team all-state player and was named the MaxPreps High School Freshman of the Year. Sports Illustrated named him as a "Future Game Changer."[3][4]

As a sophomore Kafentzis led the Beetdiggers to a 5A state title with 3,018 yards passing and 32 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,884 yards and 26 touchdowns. Kafentzis was named the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year and the 2012 and 2014 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year.[5]

Kafentzis is the only 4 time 1st team unanimous all-state selection at any position in the history of Utah high school football. There has been 2 three time 1st team selections in the history of Utah high school football.

In addition to his football accomplishments, Kafentzis also holds the Utah Class 5A records for the Javelin throw (217' 9 1/2"), breaking the previous records as a high school freshman. Kafentzis is also a 3 time state champ in the javelin (freshman, sophomore, and junior, did not compete as a senior to enroll early at Wisconsin for football).[3]

High School stats
YearTeamPass CompletionsPass AttemptsCompletion %Pass YardsPass AvgPass TDsINTRush AttemptsRush YardsRush AvgRush TDs
2011Jordan High School21236657.9%3,188245.223192101377105.922
2012Jordan High School20031363.9%3018215.632122371884134.626
2013Jordan High School19138050.3%3,011231.620182721839141.530
2014Jordan High School22139456.0%3,862321.840142731842153.525
High School Totals824145356.7%13,079251.5115639926942133.5103

Recruiting

At the conclusion of his Freshman season Kafentzis was offered a scholarship to play for BYU.[6] By the end of his sophomore season he held offers from BYU, Utah State, Utah, Hawaii, and Wisconsin. He gave a verbal commitment to play football at Wisconsin on June 18, 2013.[2]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Austin Kafentzis
QB		 Sandy, Utah Jordan High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 4.42 Jun 18, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 54 (QB)   Rivals: NR  ESPN: 15 (Dual Threat QB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rivals.com". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  • "Scout.com". Scout.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.

    Collegiate career

    Kafentzis graduated early from Jordan and enrolled in the spring semester at University of Wisconsin in January 2015. However, following spring training Kafenzis announced he would be transferring from the university.[7] On June 10 it was announced that Kafentzis had enrolled at the University of Nevada. Due to transfer rules Kafentzis was not eligible to play for the 2015 season, however he will have 4 years of eligibility remaining.[8]

    Records

    High school

    Kafentzis owns 20 Utah state football records.

    Career records
    1. Total Offense (20,121)
    2. Rushing Yards (6,942)
    3. Rushing Touchdowns (103)
    4. Touchdowns (scored by rushing, receiving and all returns) (118)
    5. Carries (992)
    6. 100-yard Games (38)
    7. Passing Yards (13,079)
    8. TD passes (115)
    9. Pass Attempts (1,453)
    10. Pass Completions (821)
    11. TDs Responsible For (218; 103 rush, 115 pass )
    12. Points Scored in a career (618)
    13. Total yards per game in a season (475.58)
    14. 200 yard rushing games in a career (10)
    15. Most consecutive 100 yard rushing games (18) 2013 and 2014 seasons
    16. Wins as a QB (38)
    Single-game records
    1. Total Offense - 694 (10/15/2014 vs. Brighton)
    2. Touchdown Passes - 8 (9/21/12 vs. Copper Hills, tied with Alex Hart)
    3. Single-game TDs responsible for - 10 (4 rush, 6 pass; 10/15/14 vs. Brighton, tied with Adam Boelter and Gene Livingston)
    4. Most TD's in a quarter (5), also national record

    References
    1. Oram, Bill (January 6, 2012). "Jordan QB Austin Kafentzis named national freshman of the year". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    2. Donaldson, Amy (July 8, 2012). "Football, hard work keep the pressure off QB prospect Austin Kafentzis". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    3. "Future Game Changers". Sports Illustrated. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    4. Baumgaertner, Gabriel (July 5, 2012). "Future Game Changers". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    5. Donaldson, Amy (June 18, 2013). "High school football: Reigning Mr. Football Austin Kafentzis commits to Gary Andersen, Wisconsin". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    6. Jensen, Jeremiah (September 4, 2012). "Prep football: Kafentzis not satisfied with remarkable freshman season". KSL-TV. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
    7. Potrykus, Jeff (May 22, 2015). "Freshman QB Austin Kafentzis transfers before playing a down at UW". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Journal Media Group. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
    8. "Utah star Kafentzis transfers to Nevada". The Salt Lake Tribune. June 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
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