K. J. Costello

Last updated

K. J. Costello
K. J. Costello (44703334491).jpg
Costello with the Stanford Cardinal in 2018
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-07) June 7, 1997 (age 27)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Santa Margarita Catholic
(Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
College:
Position: Quarterback
Undrafted: 2021
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Kevin Richard "K. J." Costello (born June 7, 1997) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He previously played for the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints.

Contents

Early years

Costello attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. During his high school football career, he passed for a school record 8,222 yards, surpassing a record previously held by Carson Palmer [1] and 62 passing touchdowns. [2] Rated as one of the top quarterback recruits in his class, Costello committed to Stanford University to play college football. [3] [4]

College career

Costello redshirted his first year at Stanford in 2016. He entered 2017 as a backup to Keller Chryst, but made his first career start against UCLA after Chryst was injured. [5] [6] Costello returned as the backup after the game; however, he took over as the starter prior to the eighth game of the season. [7] [8] He remained the starter throughout the rest of the season and finished with 1,573 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions and took the Cardinal to the Pac-12 Championship game.

KJ Costello started 35 games in College football. He holds the SEC Single-Game passing record with 623 yards against the defending national champions, LSU Tigers. He passed Andrew Luck & John Elway for all-time on the list for most passing yards in a single season at Stanford with 3540 yards. [9]

On December 18, 2019, Costello entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. [10] On February 3, 2020, Costello announced he would be grad transferring to Mississippi State. [11]

Costello made his first start for Mississippi State on September 26, 2020, where he broke the SEC record for passing yards in a single game with 623 yards in a 44–34 victory over the defending national champion, LSU. [12]

Statistics

SeasonTeamGPPassingRushing
CmpAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2017 Stanford 1112421158.81,5737.5144139.528923.33
2018 Stanford 1326941365.13,5408.62911155.042-20-0.50
2019 Stanford 510216761.11,0386.263121.618241.30
2020 Mississippi State 413019666.31,2676.5610120.522-65-3.00
Career3362598763.37,4187.55528139.2110310.33

Professional career

Los Angeles Chargers

On August 1, 2021, Costello signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft. [13] He was waived on August 17. [14]

Philadelphia Stars

Costello signed with the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League on May 27, 2022. [15]

New Orleans Saints

On August 10, 2022, Costello signed with the New Orleans Saints. [16] He was waived on August 21, 2022. [17]

Philadelphia Stars (second stint)

On February 17, 2023, Costello re-signed with the Philadelphia Stars. [18] He was transferred to the team's inactive list on March 19, 2023. [19] The Stars folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL). [20]

Career statistics

Spring Football statistics
YearTeamLeagueGamesPassingRushing
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2022 PHI USFL 200-041040.0696.90064.25-15-3.00

Related Research Articles

George Patrick "Geep" Chryst is an American football coach and scout. He is currently a pro scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Previously he served as the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the California Golden Bears. Chryst has 25 years of NFL coaching experience, working as an offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and tight ends coach. In 13 of the 25 seasons coaching in the NFL his offense ranked in the Top Ten in either Rushing, Passing or Points Scored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrett Lee</span> American gridiron football player (born 1989)

Calen Jarrett Lee is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at LSU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Mettenberger</span> American football player (born 1991)

Zachary Rich Mettenberger is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. After two seasons in Tennessee as a backup, Mettenberger had an offseason stint with the San Diego Chargers before spending his final NFL year as a backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016. Mettenberger last played professionally with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. He began a coaching career the following year and has been an analyst for the University of Alabama since 2022.

Anthony Jennings is an American former college football quarterback. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) from 2013 and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2016. Jennings was the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers during the 2014 season and the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns for the 2016 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Grier</span> American football player (born 1995)

William Grier is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and West Virginia Mountaineers and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round in the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Siemian</span> American football player (born 1991)

Trevor John Siemian is an American professional football quarterback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft. Siemian was part of the Broncos when they won Super Bowl 50, serving as the third-string quarterback behind starter Peyton Manning and backup Brock Osweiler. He has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Kelly</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Chad Patrick Kelly is an American professional football quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Clemson and Ole Miss. The Denver Broncos selected him in the seventh round with the final pick of the 2017 NFL draft, making him that year's Mr. Irrelevant. He has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shea Patterson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1997)

Shea Christopher Patterson is an American professional football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels (2016–2017) and the Michigan Wolverines (2018–2019). He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was drafted in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers and they retain his rights until 2024. The Michigan Panthers drafted Patterson with the first pick in the 2022 USFL draft. He has also played with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Lock</span> American football player (born 1996)

Andrew Stephen Lock is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Herbert</span> American football player (born 1998)

Justin Patrick Herbert is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, where he won the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, and was selected by the Chargers as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keller Chryst</span> American football player and coach (born 1995)

Keller Joseph Chryst is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Tennessee and Stanford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feleipe Franks</span> American football player (born 1997)

Feleipe Franks is an American professional football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played his first three years of college football at Florida and transferred to Arkansas for his final season. Franks joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Burrow</span> American football player (born 1996)

Joseph Lee Burrow is an American professional football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). After beginning his college football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Burrow played for LSU Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Playoff National Championship as a senior. He was selected by the Bengals first overall in the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardner Minshew</span> American football player (born 1996)

Gardner Flint Minshew II is an American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career playing for the Northwest Mississippi Rangers, where he won the NJCAA National Football Championship before playing the following two seasons for the East Carolina Pirates. Minshew used his final year of eligibility with the Washington State Cougars, setting the Pac-12 Conference season records for passing yards and completions and winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Nix</span> American football player (born 2000)

Bo Chapman Nix is an American professional football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). The NCAA's leader in games played at the position, he played three seasons of college football for the Auburn Tigers and was named the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year. In 2022, Nix transferred to the Oregon Ducks and was a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist after leading the FBS in touchdowns. He was selected by the Broncos 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Brennan</span> American football player (born 1999)

Myles Brennan is a former American football quarterback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davis Mills</span> American football player (born 1998)

Davis Compton Mills is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Mills was Houston's starter during his first two seasons, before reverting to a backup role after the Texans drafted C. J. Stroud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey Zappe</span> American football player (born 1999)

Bailey Michael Zappe is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played his first three seasons of college football for the Houston Baptist Huskies and used his last year of eligibility with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, where he set the FBS season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Zappe was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft and mostly served as backup until becoming their primary starter near the end of the 2023 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Rogers (American football)</span> American football quarterback (born 2001)

William Wyatt Rogers III is an American college football quarterback for the Washington Huskies, he previously played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He holds Mississippi State program records in nearly every major passing category and Southeastern Conference (SEC) records for single season and career completions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJ Jefferson</span> American football player (born 2001)

Kenneth Dewayne "KJ" Jefferson Jr. is an American college football quarterback for the UCF Knights. He previously played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

References

  1. Rosa, Rolando (September 10, 2020). "10 things to know about Mississippi State QB KJ Costello". Saturday Down South. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  2. FitzGerald, Tom (September 28, 2017). "Stanford's K.J. Costello burst onto scene as Kevin Hogan did in 2012". SFGate . Hearst Communications . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  3. McKinney, Erik (March 26, 2015). "K.J. Costello picks Stanford". ESPN.com . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  4. Johnson, Chris (March 26, 2015). "Four-star QB K.J. Costello commits to Stanford over Michigan, USC". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. Taylor, John (September 30, 2017). "With Keller Chryst injured, K.J. Costello to make first career start at QB for Stanford". NBC Sports . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. Metcalfe, Jeff (September 25, 2017). "Pac-12 rewind: Stanford turns to K.J. Costello at QB after Chryst injury, wins big". The Arizona Republic . Gannett . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  7. Bonagura, Kyle (November 3, 2017). "Stanford to start K.J. Costello over Keller Chryst at QB". ESPN.com . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  8. "No. 21 Stanford to start K.J. Costello at quarterback". USA Today . Gannett. Associated Press. November 2, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. "K.J. Costello 2017 Game Log". Sports Reference . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  10. Goldberg, Rob (December 18, 2019). "Stanford QB K.J. Costello Reportedly Enters Transfer Portal". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  11. Rittenberg, Adam (February 3, 2020). "Ex-Stanford QB Costello transferring to Miss. St". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  12. Scarborough, Alex (September 26, 2020). "K.J. Costello throws for SEC-record 623 yards as Mississippi State Bulldogs upset LSU Tigers". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  13. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Quarterback KJ Costello". Chargers.com. August 1, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  14. "Los Angeles Chargers Announce Roster Moves". Chargers.com. August 17, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  15. @USFLStars (May 27, 2022). "Roster Updates" (Tweet). Retrieved June 3, 2022 via Twitter.
  16. Sigler, John (August 10, 2022). "Saints sign free agent QB K.J. Costello with Jameis Winston on the mend". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  17. Sigler, John (August 21, 2022). "Report: Saints waive QB K.J. Costello, RB Devine Ozigbo ahead of roster cuts deadline". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  18. @USFLStars (February 17, 2023). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved February 17, 2023 via Twitter.
  19. @USFLStars (March 19, 2023). "Transferred to Inactive List" (Tweet). Retrieved March 20, 2023 via Twitter.
  20. Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.