Can Small-school Receiver Jerome Kapp Be Kutztown's Next NFL Gem?

Jets' undrafted rookie has chance to follow in footsteps of two well-known greats

Chris Sponagle / Kutztown University

Jerome Kapp wouldn't be the first Kutztown product to make it in the National Football League, not even the first receiver.

After impressing during his rookie camp tryout, Kapp inked an undrafted free-agent contract with the New York Jets on May 25. The 6-foot-3 pass-catcher is one of 13 receivers on the 90-man roster.

Kapp comes to the Jets from an NCAA Division II program located in Philadelphia Eagles' country. Despite its small-school status, Kutztown has alumni who have participated in multiple Super Bowls.

Former All-Pro linebacker John Mobley was a first-round draft pick out of Kutztown in 1996 and he went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.

Before Mobley, receiver Andre Reed went from the PSAC school to the Buffalo Bills as a 1985 fourth-round selection. Reed played in four consecutive Super Bowls for Buffalo during his Hall-of-Fame career that ended in 2000. Reed, a seven-time Pro Bowler, had 13,198 career receiving yards on 951 catches.

As for Kapp, he has a long road ahead on his quest to stick with the Jets. Gang Green has an abundance of known names in the receivers' room with former second-round pick Denzel Mims and veteran Randall Cobb expected to battle for the No. 5 and No. 6 spots.

His only ticket to the 53-man roster is presumably through special teams, but it's more likely Kapp plays his way onto the practice squad as a developmental receiver.

Regardless of how it ends, Kapp has already defied the odds and made for an admirable achievement.

TrustGodsPlan.. 🖤 https://t.co/8InWR3HXnq

— Jerome Kapp (@JeromeKapp85) May 25, 2023

It's not easy for a virtually unknown small-school prospect to demand the attention of NFL evaluators, but Kapp did enough to earn a rookie minicamp invitation from the Jets. Then, he found a way to stand out amongst nearly 40 tryout players on the camp roster and become one of the fortunate few to earn an NFL contract.

Kapp showed game-breaking ability at the collegiate level, frequently out-classing his D2 competition. In 2022, the Keystone State product averaged a conference-leading 19.5 yards per catch. As Kutztown posted an 8-3 record, Kapp made 47 receptions for 916 yards and nine touchdowns.

Kapp began his collegiate career at D2 Seton Hill, which is also a PSAC member, before transferring to Kutztown. In three seasons with the Golden Bears, the two-time All-PSAC East First Team honoree made 122 catches for 2,190 yards and 22 touchdowns.

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FB | TOUCHDOWN GOLDEN BEARS! Eric Nickel hits Jerome Kapp for 84 yards. @KUBearsFootball leads Slippery Rock 7-3 in the 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/GVtuqvPcP2

— Kutztown University Athletics (@KUGoldenBears) November 13, 2021