Younghoe Koo

Younghoe Koo Bio

Younghoe Koo is a South Korean–American professional football placekicker who has played in the National Football League since 2017. Known for his ability to successfully execute onside kicks, Koo played college football at Georgia Southern University before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. After brief stints with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football and the New England Patriots, Koo found his footing with the Atlanta Falcons, where he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 as the NFL’s leading scorer. He currently plays for the New York Giants organization.

Early Life and Background

Younghoe Koo was born on August 3, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. He grew up playing soccer and won a regional kicking competition in his home country before his family relocated to the United States. Koo moved to New Jersey at age 12 to live with his mother, who had immigrated two years earlier to work as a nurse. His father remained in Seoul, where he served as a professor at Induk University.

At Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Koo played football and demonstrated his versatility on the field. He earned team MVP honors during his senior season, contributing on both special teams and defense where he recorded six interceptions. His kicking skills caught the attention of college scouts, setting the foundation for his future career.

Path to Professional Football

Koo continued his football journey at Georgia Southern University, where he played four seasons for the Georgia Southern Eagles from 2013 to 2016. He established himself as one of the top kickers in the country, earning first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in his final season after converting 19 of 20 field goal attempts, a remarkable 95 percent success rate.

His exceptional senior campaign also earned him recognition as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation’s top college placekicker. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Koo held Georgia Southern’s records for field goal percentage at 89.7 percent (26 of 29) and extra point percentage at 96.9 percent (62 of 64). He finished ninth in school history with 140 career points scored.

Younghoe Koo Career

Los Angeles Chargers (2017)

Following the 2017 NFL Draft, Koo signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers. He won the starting kicker job over incumbent Josh Lambo during the preseason and became the fourth player in NFL history born in South Korea to play in the league. Koo’s debut came in the season opener against the Denver Broncos, where his game-tying 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked in the final seconds, resulting in a 24–21 Chargers loss.

The following week against the Miami Dolphins, Koo missed a 44-yard game-winning attempt in a 19–17 defeat. After connecting on both field goal attempts and all four extra points over the next two weeks, the struggling Chargers released Koo after Week 4, replacing him with veteran Nick Novak. Despite the early setback, coaches acknowledged Koo’s talent and predicted he would eventually find success in the league.

Alliance of American Football and Return to NFL (2019)

After a year away from professional football, Koo signed with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football in January 2019. He made history on February 9, 2019, by scoring the first points in AAF regular season history with a 38-yard field goal against the Orlando Apollos. Koo remained perfect throughout the season, converting all 14 of his field goal attempts before the league suspended operations in April 2019.

Following the AAF’s collapse, Koo worked out with the Chicago Bears but did not sign. He eventually joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad on October 4, 2019, after Stephen Gostkowski was placed on injured reserve, though he was released 11 days later without appearing in a game.

Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2019–2025)

On October 29, 2019, Koo signed with the Atlanta Falcons after the team released longtime kicker and franchise leading scorer Matt Bryant. He made an immediate impact in his debut, converting all four field goals including a 48-yarder while adding two extra points in a 26–9 upset victory over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In eight games that season, Koo connected on 23 of 26 field goal attempts and 15 of 16 extra points.

The 2020 season marked Koo’s breakout year. He was named to the Pro Bowl after finishing as the NFL’s leading scorer with 37 of 39 field goal attempts and 33 of 36 extra points converted. His 144 total points led the league, and he earned multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Month accolades throughout the season.

Koo continued his strong play in 2021, making 27 of 29 field goal attempts and converting all 30 extra point attempts. He became known for his clutch performances, delivering three game-winning field goals in the final seconds of games. On March 15, 2022, Koo signed a lucrative five-year contract extension worth $24.25 million with the Falcons, solidifying his place as the team’s long-term kicker.

The 2022 and 2023 seasons saw Koo maintain his consistency, converting 32 of 37 field goals in each campaign. During the 2024 season, he made a career-long 58-yard field goal in a Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints. However, Koo was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2024, with a hip injury, finishing the season 25 of 34 on field goals and a perfect 26 for 26 on extra points.

New York Giants (2025)

After being released by the Falcons on September 19, 2025, following seven seasons with the organization, Koo was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on September 23. He was promoted to the active roster in November and made his Giants debut in Week 10 against the New York Jets, converting two field goals and two extra points in his first start. Koo experienced a memorable moment when his foot missed the football during a kick attempt against the New England Patriots, though he explained he halted his motion after seeing the ball move. He was waived by the Giants on December 16, 2025.

Driving Style and Strengths

Koo has built his reputation as a clutch performer with exceptional leg strength and consistency on field goals. His specialty lies in executing onside kicks, having successfully recovered multiple key onside attempts during his career. He has demonstrated the ability to make pressure-packed kicks from long distance, including his career-long 58-yard field goal against the Saints in 2024. Koo’s consistency has been particularly evident in extra point attempts, where he has converted at a 95.9 percent rate throughout his career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Koo’s most memorable achievements was scoring the first points in Alliance of American Football history with his 38-yard field goal in 2019. His 2020 Pro Bowl selection capped a remarkable season in which he led the NFL in scoring. Koo has developed a reputation for delivering game-winning kicks in crucial moments, having made multiple field goals as time expired to secure victories throughout his career with the Falcons.

Younghoe Koo Career Wins

Throughout his professional career spanning the NFL and AAF, Koo has established himself as a reliable and productive placekicker with numerous accolades and consistent performance statistics.

NFL Highlights

In NFL competition, Koo has amassed 741 career points through the 2024 season, converting 185 of 217 field goal attempts (85.3 percent) and 186 of 194 extra point attempts (95.9 percent). His career longest field goal is 58 yards, achieved during the 2024 season. Koo has recorded 94 career touchbacks and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 when he led the NFL in scoring with 144 points.

Alliance of American Football Performance

During his time with the Atlanta Legends in 2019, Koo was perfect on all field goal attempts, connecting on 14 of 14 attempts before the league suspended operations. His performance included two game-winning field goals in the final seconds and earned him AAF Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Younghoe Koo Family

Family Background and Lineage

Koo was born in Seoul, South Korea, to a family with strong academic ties. His father worked as a professor at Induk University in Seoul, while his mother pursued a nursing career in the United States, initially relocating to New Jersey before bringing Younghoe to America when he was 12 years old.

Personal Life

Koo married Ava Maurer in 2023. The couple maintains a presence on social media, with Koo sharing glimpses of his life beyond football through his Instagram account. He has credited his multicultural background and family support as factors in his development as an athlete.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Koo following his release from the Atlanta Falcons after seven seasons. After signing with the New York Giants’ practice squad in late September, he was elevated to the active roster in November due to injuries at the kicker position. Koo made his debut as the Giants’ starting kicker in Week 10, delivering a perfect performance by converting two field goals and two extra points against the New York Jets.

Despite the strong debut, Koo faced challenges during his tenure with the Giants. A memorable mishap occurred when his foot struck the ground instead of the ball during a game against the New England Patriots, though he explained he had stopped his kicking motion after observing ball movement. The unusual play drew significant attention across the league.

Koo’s tenure ended in mid-December when the Giants waived him following a Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. During that game, Koo missed two 54-yard field goal attempts at critical moments, which contributed to the change of possession and hindered the Giants’ comeback efforts. Looking ahead, Koo remains in the league as a free agent, with his experience and proven track record of clutch performances positioning him as a potential addition for teams seeking reliable kicking expertise.