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University of Minnesota Athletics
Big Man on Campus; Senior Jake Kuppe
9/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
There's not much to make fun of though, mind you. He's an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick, a dominating run blocker who has started all but one game the last two seasons, a stud in the weightroom, a three-time letterwinner, an outstanding athlete and a stand-up guy. So what is there to joke about?
Well, there is one vital statistic of the offensive tackle that has been known to be at the root of numerous jokes in the Minnesota lockerroom. That stat? Jake Kuppe is listed at 6-7, 350 pounds in the 2002 Golden Gopher football media guide. It's wisecracks and catcalls about his size that have elicited more than a few laughs from the boys in Maroon and Gold.
It begs the question, why aren't Minnesota players showing up in the training room with injuries that can only be described as "Kuppe-related"? Why isn't the biggest player in the Big Ten using his unrivaled size advantage to strike back at those who choose to make fun of him? Why is he allowing himself to be the brunt of so many jokes?
The simple answer is that Kuppe loves the jokes. He eats them up (no pun intended). In fact, the massive senior from Minnetonka, Minn., gave his express approval for this story to poke a little fun at him. I've been assured that he will not use his astounding size difference to inflict some sort of damage on the unsuspecting writer. Therefore, I can write this: Jake Kuppe makes 6-2, 309-pound defensive tackle Brandon Harston look svelte.
"I can't keep up with him," Harston joked. "We used to have battles to see who could eat the most, but he's passed me by."
The simple truth is that Kuppe knows his size can be a source of jokes for his teammates. And with the great sense of humor he possesses, he uses jokes about his size as a way to keep the mood light on the team. He's been known to use a little self-deprecating humor to make his teammates laugh and kill some stress. "I try to bring a lot of humor to the [offensive] line and to the team," Kuppe said. "Lots of people laugh at me. But I don't mind. In fact, I use that humor to help the team. I try not to get too frustrated with football. I use humor to loosen things up."
"Kuppe gives the team some humor," tight end Ben Utecht explained. "He lightens the mood up. Jake allows people to have fun."
That was no more evident than in the following scene involving Utecht and fellow tight end Scooter Baugus from a few weeks ago in the lockerroom after practice:
Utecht asked, "Hey, Scooter, what's Kuppe's favorite food?" Baugus replied, without hesitation, "Everything!"
Jake Kuppe has always been big. Exhibit A: His father Kris, is a 6-4, 250-pound man. Genetics clearly played a role in Jake becoming the biggest player in the Big Ten Conference. Although outsizing the entire conference may be a badge of honor for some, Kuppe doesn't look at it like that. "I really don't think about that at all," Kuppe said. "I'd much rather be known as the best tackle in the conference." Nevertheless, Kuppe's dimensions clearly have played a role in him becoming one of the conference's most dependable and talented offensive linemen. "It's an advantage in that I'm very powerful," Kuppe explained. "I can pretty much drive anybody off the ball." Co-offensive coordinator and tackles and tight ends coach Mitch Browning agrees, but provides a caveat. "Kuppe's size is obviously an advantage, but it can also be a disadvantage. When you're that big, it's difficult to get into playing shape."
"It's a disadvantage sometimes in a long game," Kuppe admits. "It can get kind of tiring being this big. But it's nothing I can't handle. On certain blocking moves - like reach blocks - [being big] isn't helpful."
Exhibit B: See picture below. It's obvious that Kuppe has always been one of the bigger kids for his age. It's something that he has used to his advantage throughout his life. In high school, he employed his height and girth to lead the Minnetonka High School boys' basketball team to great heights. In his senior year, Kuppe led the Skippers to a 25-2 record, their second Class 4A state title and a No. 20 ranking in USA Today's Super 25 boys basketball rankings. In that season, Kuppe, a center, posted per game averages of 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. "He has tremendous athletic ability for someone who's 350 pounds," Utecht said. "You should see him play basketball."
"I haven't played much lately," Kuppe said. "I still coach and shoot around a little. But my body just can't take playing anymore."
Exhibit C: Take a look at the size of players that Kuppe faces in games. Consider that Ohio State's projected starters at end, Will Smith and Darrion Scott, weigh 250 and 271 pounds, respectively. It's clear that Kuppe's size plays a major role on the field every Saturday. When an offensive tackle outweighs a defensive end by nearly 100 pounds, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that size is a determining factor in the trenches. "Look at other linemen in the Big Ten," Utecht said. "There's certainly an intimidation factor in the game when he's going against a 260- to 280-pound defensive end."
Charlton Keith, a redshirt freshman defensive end that faces Kuppe regularly in practice, wholeheartedly agrees. "He's a veteran. It's hard to go against him everyday in practice. He knows all the tricks and trades. There's nothing you can throw at him that he hasn't already seen."
"I guess intimidation plays a part out there," Kuppe said. "A lot of people on the outside looking in may look at it like that. But I'm pretty agile and mobile for someone my size. I'm not just a big guy."
To say that height and weight is what makes Jake Kuppe a great player for the Golden Gophers would be unfair and untrue. Like he says, he's not just a big guy. There's a lot more to Kuppe than how much he tips the scale. Ask nearly any of his teammates to describe Kuppe and they invariably say the words 'leader' and 'hard worker.' The words of praise for the senior tackle come easy from the mouths of the Golden Gophers. (Let the Jake Kuppe love fest begin here.)
Utecht: "He plays a few different roles on the team. He's a leader based on his experience and skill. At the same time, he works hard." Running back Marion Barber III: "It's great running behind Kuppe. He's always working hard and it shows in his performance. He's a great all-around athlete, a hard worker and a leader."
Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq: "Kuppe's a workhorse. He's never missed a game. He's one of the toughest guys I know. And he's definitely a leader. With Kuppe, there are no worries. I'm not worried about him missing a play. I have all the confidence in the world in him."
Browning: "He has great experience. He's played a lot of football for us. Kuppe is a leader by his experience and performance. We can count on him everyday. He has great enthusiasm and works extremely hard. He knows how to work hard. He's also extremely fun to coach. You don't have to browbeat him to work. He's so easy to coach. He's a pleasant guy, a great kid. I love having him around."
Kuppe knows by virtue of his experience that he is the de facto leader for the big boys up front. It's a role he cherishes and takes seriously. "My role on this team is definitely as a leader on the offensive line," Kuppe said. "I've played more football than anyone on the line and on the team. My role is to help guys on the line and lead by example."
Leading by example for Kuppe means never taking a play off in practice or in games. You won't soon be reading in the sports section about No. 75 not going all-out for every down of a game. For Kuppe, missing a game is something he refuses to allow happen. In three seasons, he has played in every game, and in the past two campaigns, the massive tackle has missed only one start. He's an ironman at a position that sees it's fair share of nasty injuries.
"It's all about toughness and having the coaches being able to count on you," Kuppe said. "I get through the normal bumps and bruises." If that's not leading by example, then what is?
A week or so ago after practice, a small group of local media assembled outside the Minnesota lockerroom. Not surprisingly, Jake Kuppe was requested for an interview. Kuppe was told of the request and rumbled out to the waiting television reporter. Before reaching the door, he stopped and said, "I probably shouldn't wear this," referring to his shirt. The front of his well-worn shirt was for another college football program. He certainly wouldn't want to be shown endorsing another school's gridiron team. But the back of the shirt read, "Beat the Little Man." It then became unclear whether Kuppe was trying to hide the shirt because of its association with another team or if he was just turning the shirt inside-out so as not to frighten the diminutive TV guy.
So, go ahead and laugh at Jake Kuppe. Make jokes about his size. Take cheap shots at the big guy. But, be warned. One day, he might heed the words of that malodorous t-shirt. One day, the traning room may be filled with players with Kuppe-related injuries. One day, Jake Kuppe may beat the little man and be laughing all the while.
Written by Minnesota Athletics Media Relations Assistant Director Kevin Kurtt Go ahead and make fun of Jake Kuppe. Don't be afraid to tell jokes at his expense. Feel free to laugh at him - behind his back, right in his face, it doesn't matter.
There's not much to make fun of though, mind you. He's an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick, a dominating run blocker who has started all but one game the last two seasons, a stud in the weightroom, a three-time letterwinner, an outstanding athlete and a stand-up guy. So what is there to joke about?
Well, there is one vital statistic of the offensive tackle that has been known to be at the root of numerous jokes in the Minnesota lockerroom. That stat? Jake Kuppe is listed at 6-7, 350 pounds in the 2002 Golden Gopher football media guide. It's wisecracks and catcalls about his size that have elicited more than a few laughs from the boys in Maroon and Gold.
It begs the question, why aren't Minnesota players showing up in the training room with injuries that can only be described as "Kuppe-related"? Why isn't the biggest player in the Big Ten using his unrivaled size advantage to strike back at those who choose to make fun of him? Why is he allowing himself to be the brunt of so many jokes?
The simple answer is that Kuppe loves the jokes. He eats them up (no pun intended). In fact, the massive senior from Minnetonka, Minn., gave his express approval for this story to poke a little fun at him. I've been assured that he will not use his astounding size difference to inflict some sort of damage on the unsuspecting writer. Therefore, I can write this: Jake Kuppe makes 6-2, 309-pound defensive tackle Brandon Harston look svelte.
"I can't keep up with him," Harston joked. "We used to have battles to see who could eat the most, but he's passed me by."
The simple truth is that Kuppe knows his size can be a source of jokes for his teammates. And with the great sense of humor he possesses, he uses jokes about his size as a way to keep the mood light on the team. He's been known to use a little self-deprecating humor to make his teammates laugh and kill some stress. "I try to bring a lot of humor to the [offensive] line and to the team," Kuppe said. "Lots of people laugh at me. But I don't mind. In fact, I use that humor to help the team. I try not to get too frustrated with football. I use humor to loosen things up."
"Kuppe gives the team some humor," tight end Ben Utecht explained. "He lightens the mood up. Jake allows people to have fun."
That was no more evident than in the following scene involving Utecht and fellow tight end Scooter Baugus from a few weeks ago in the lockerroom after practice:
Utecht asked, "Hey, Scooter, what's Kuppe's favorite food?" Baugus replied, without hesitation, "Everything!"
Jake Kuppe has always been big. Exhibit A: His father Kris, is a 6-4, 250-pound man. Genetics clearly played a role in Jake becoming the biggest player in the Big Ten Conference. Although outsizing the entire conference may be a badge of honor for some, Kuppe doesn't look at it like that. "I really don't think about that at all," Kuppe said. "I'd much rather be known as the best tackle in the conference." Nevertheless, Kuppe's dimensions clearly have played a role in him becoming one of the conference's most dependable and talented offensive linemen. "It's an advantage in that I'm very powerful," Kuppe explained. "I can pretty much drive anybody off the ball." Co-offensive coordinator and tackles and tight ends coach Mitch Browning agrees, but provides a caveat. "Kuppe's size is obviously an advantage, but it can also be a disadvantage. When you're that big, it's difficult to get into playing shape."
"It's a disadvantage sometimes in a long game," Kuppe admits. "It can get kind of tiring being this big. But it's nothing I can't handle. On certain blocking moves - like reach blocks - [being big] isn't helpful."
Exhibit B: See picture below. It's obvious that Kuppe has always been one of the bigger kids for his age. It's something that he has used to his advantage throughout his life. In high school, he employed his height and girth to lead the Minnetonka High School boys' basketball team to great heights. In his senior year, Kuppe led the Skippers to a 25-2 record, their second Class 4A state title and a No. 20 ranking in USA Today's Super 25 boys basketball rankings. In that season, Kuppe, a center, posted per game averages of 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. "He has tremendous athletic ability for someone who's 350 pounds," Utecht said. "You should see him play basketball."
"I haven't played much lately," Kuppe said. "I still coach and shoot around a little. But my body just can't take playing anymore."
Exhibit C: Take a look at the size of players that Kuppe faces in games. Consider that Ohio State's projected starters at end, Will Smith and Darrion Scott, weigh 250 and 271 pounds, respectively. It's clear that Kuppe's size plays a major role on the field every Saturday. When an offensive tackle outweighs a defensive end by nearly 100 pounds, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that size is a determining factor in the trenches. "Look at other linemen in the Big Ten," Utecht said. "There's certainly an intimidation factor in the game when he's going against a 260- to 280-pound defensive end."
Charlton Keith, a redshirt freshman defensive end that faces Kuppe regularly in practice, wholeheartedly agrees. "He's a veteran. It's hard to go against him everyday in practice. He knows all the tricks and trades. There's nothing you can throw at him that he hasn't already seen."
"I guess intimidation plays a part out there," Kuppe said. "A lot of people on the outside looking in may look at it like that. But I'm pretty agile and mobile for someone my size. I'm not just a big guy."
To say that height and weight is what makes Jake Kuppe a great player for the Golden Gophers would be unfair and untrue. Like he says, he's not just a big guy. There's a lot more to Kuppe than how much he tips the scale. Ask nearly any of his teammates to describe Kuppe and they invariably say the words 'leader' and 'hard worker.' The words of praise for the senior tackle come easy from the mouths of the Golden Gophers. (Let the Jake Kuppe love fest begin here.)
Utecht: "He plays a few different roles on the team. He's a leader based on his experience and skill. At the same time, he works hard." Running back Marion Barber III: "It's great running behind Kuppe. He's always working hard and it shows in his performance. He's a great all-around athlete, a hard worker and a leader."
Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq: "Kuppe's a workhorse. He's never missed a game. He's one of the toughest guys I know. And he's definitely a leader. With Kuppe, there are no worries. I'm not worried about him missing a play. I have all the confidence in the world in him."
Browning: "He has great experience. He's played a lot of football for us. Kuppe is a leader by his experience and performance. We can count on him everyday. He has great enthusiasm and works extremely hard. He knows how to work hard. He's also extremely fun to coach. You don't have to browbeat him to work. He's so easy to coach. He's a pleasant guy, a great kid. I love having him around."
Kuppe knows by virtue of his experience that he is the de facto leader for the big boys up front. It's a role he cherishes and takes seriously. "My role on this team is definitely as a leader on the offensive line," Kuppe said. "I've played more football than anyone on the line and on the team. My role is to help guys on the line and lead by example."
Leading by example for Kuppe means never taking a play off in practice or in games. You won't soon be reading in the sports section about No. 75 not going all-out for every down of a game. For Kuppe, missing a game is something he refuses to allow happen. In three seasons, he has played in every game, and in the past two campaigns, the massive tackle has missed only one start. He's an ironman at a position that sees it's fair share of nasty injuries.
"It's all about toughness and having the coaches being able to count on you," Kuppe said. "I get through the normal bumps and bruises." If that's not leading by example, then what is?
A week or so ago after practice, a small group of local media assembled outside the Minnesota lockerroom. Not surprisingly, Jake Kuppe was requested for an interview. Kuppe was told of the request and rumbled out to the waiting television reporter. Before reaching the door, he stopped and said, "I probably shouldn't wear this," referring to his shirt. The front of his well-worn shirt was for another college football program. He certainly wouldn't want to be shown endorsing another school's gridiron team. But the back of the shirt read, "Beat the Little Man." It then became unclear whether Kuppe was trying to hide the shirt because of its association with another team or if he was just turning the shirt inside-out so as not to frighten the diminutive TV guy.
So, go ahead and laugh at Jake Kuppe. Make jokes about his size. Take cheap shots at the big guy. But, be warned. One day, he might heed the words of that malodorous t-shirt. One day, the traning room may be filled with players with Kuppe-related injuries. One day, Jake Kuppe may beat the little man and be laughing all the while.
Written by Minnesota Athletics Media Relations Assistant Director Kevin Kurtt
