A day after we recognized Emmit Bohle for his commitment and perseverance, with 69 days left until Sun Devil football returns, we take a look at a player who had a similar college career before going on to have great success in the pro's. Today, we look at Kyle Kosier.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kosier had a natural knack for sports. While attending Cactus High School, Kosier played four different sports, including football. Interestingly enough, Kosier played middle linebacker despite being as big as some of the defensive linemen he played with. Kosier's elite athleticism helped him amass 354 career tackles.
Arizona State brought him in with the intent of putting him on the defensive line, though he'd need to bulk up a bit to consistently win against college offensive linemen. Kosier took a redshirt year and dedicated himself to adding muscle, which he did in spades.
By the time Kosier's redshirt freshman season came around, the coaching staff had moved him to the offensive line as a result of his size and athleticism. He played just one game that year, getting work at left tackle late in a blowout win, but showing why the coaches believed he was a better fit there. The next year, Kosier became a key backup lineman, seeing work in 10 games and getting one start in place of an injured starter.
Heading into the 2000 season, Kosier was named the starting right guard, where he played every game. At one point, he suffered a shoulder injury that would require surgery, but Kosier played through it and didn't miss a game. After the season ended, the coaching staff was fired and replaced with Dirk Koetter, ushering in a new era.
Despite that, Kosier would go on to earn the starting right tackle job. While the Sun Devils weren't particularly good that year, winning just four games and going 1-7 in conference play, Kosier was named an All-Pac 10 honorable mention for his strong play.
Leaving Arizona State, Kosier was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round. After playing exclusively on special teams as a rookie, Kosier's versatility and willingness to do whatever was asked of him earned him playing time.
In his second season with the 49ers, Kosier made multiple starts at left guard and right tackle. The next year, he started a total of 12 games at either guard spot and right tackle. In his fourth year, Kosier started every game, with most of them coming at left tackle as well as a handful of games at right guard.
Entering free agency from there, Kosier signed a one-year deal with the Lions, where he was brought in to be their swing tackle. However, Kosier became the starting left guard before long.
Once again a free agent, Kosier's market value had increased quite a bit. The Dallas Cowboys were in the market for a starting caliber lineman, as Hall of Fame guard Larry Allen had just left in free agency and was believed to be near retirement anyway. America's Team targeted Kosier, giving him one of the richest contracts for an interior offensive lineman at the time.
Kosier became a fixture along the Cowboys' offensive line, first at left guard but later switching to right guard. He was often cited as one of the leaders of the locker room, with his versatility and perseverance - he once played through a torn plantar fascia before ultimately tearing his MCL - setting the tone in the trenches.
Kosier retired after the 2011 season, as the Cowboys were entering a quasi-rebuild, but his legacy in Dallas was established. Just as he had been in Tempe, Kosier was a silent yet strong success story, always doing whatever was asked of him and giving 100% effort in it. That's the kind of player the Sun Devils hope to have plenty of this season.