Boyertown graduate Jerome Kapp stays focused, grounded as Kutztown University football team captain

Oct. 19—Over the summer, Kutztown University wide receiver Jerome Kapp would take the half-hour drive from his family's home in Barto to Andre Reed Stadium, arriving sometimes as early as sunrise to practice with Golden Bears quarterback Donny Blaine.

While the extra practices were nothing new to Kapp, a graduate student and Kutztown's leading receiver in 2021, the Boyertown grad understood that he could not rely solely on his past successes heading into the 2022 season.

"That mindset and that want to always keep developing and always keep gaining trust with your teammates is the biggest part of my success," Kapp said. "There's always more to give. There's always more development. I'm never a complete player."

The extra work and constant drive to improve has paid dividends for Kapp, who is having the best season of his five-year college career. Kapp has posted career highs with 3.7 receptions per game, 20.4 yards per catch and 75.7 yards per game, all while leading the team in receiving yards (530 on 26 catches) for the second straight season.

"Donny and I are just getting started," Kapp said. "We're always evolving. If you don't want to evolve, then you're not going to get anywhere here."

Kapp's evolution into one of the best receivers in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference began at Boyertown, where he played football and basketball. During his sophomore and senior seasons, Kapp caught at least 30 passes and had more than 500 yards receiving.

Following high school, Kapp went to Seton Hill, a member of the PSAC West. He did not see the field as a freshman in 2018, as he broke his foot and took a redshirt year.

Kapp then transferred to Kutztown, where he began working with former Golden Bears wide receivers coach Steve Heck, who helped Kapp take the next step in his career.

"He pushed me to limits that I never could imagine myself getting to," Kapp said. "He knew I had more to give. I give all the credit in the world to him. He is the reason that I am the player I am today."

As a freshman in 2019, Kapp recorded 32 catches for 462 yards and five touchdowns. He also had three carries for 24 yards.

"He's got a long stride," Kutztown head coach Jim Clements said. "He's fast — sneaky fast."

After the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kapp returned with a big season in 2021 for the PSAC champions. He finished with 43 catches for 812 yards and eight touchdowns, the fourth-most receiving yards of any player in the PSAC.

Through seven games this season, Kapp has six touchdowns, which ranks second on the team.

"When the ball is in his vicinity, we feel really good that he's going to come down with it," Clements said. "He's a catalyst for us."

Kapp's big-play potential is what has made him such a formidable receiver. This season, he has touchdown catches of 41, 42, 49, 50 and 54 yards, as well as receptions of 26, 27 and 46 yards.

"He has a nose for the end zone," Clements said. "He came in faster this year, and it's showing on the field."

For Blaine, a first-year starting quarterback, developing chemistry with Kapp over the summer has played a crucial role in the pair's ability to connect for explosive plays.

"We're always on the same page," Blaine said. "He can get down there and get himself open. Even if it's a one-on-one contested catch, you know that he has the ability to go up and get the ball."

Kapp said he had the necessary athleticism and knack for catching deep passes while at Boyertown, but made it into a major part of his game at Kutztown.

"I cover a lot of ground when I'm going deep," Kapp said. "I like to think I'm a fast guy on the field, and it puts me in advantageous situations. Just being able to track the ball wherever it is and being able to make the adjustment and haul it in is my biggest strength."

Kapp, a team captain, has helped guide the Golden Bears to a 5-2 start. Kutztown is in second in the PSAC East, and is striving to qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

"He's one of the best leaders on our team," Blaine said. "He loves the game of football and he loves to win. He tries to get the best out of everybody."

Kapp's work ethic and leadership skills have grown over the past few years thanks in part to former Golden Bears standout Craig Reynolds, now a running back for the Detroit Lions. Reynolds played at Kutztown from 2014-18, and routinely returns to his alma mater to work out with the team during the offseason.

"He's walked a path that we all want to walk," Kapp said. "Craig has instilled this mindset into me that every single person in this country is trying to outwork you, and you can't let it happen. Working with Craig has been a blessing."

Reynolds is one of seven Golden Bears who have played in the NFL, a list that also includes Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed and two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker John Mobley. Reed and Mobley are the only two players from Kutztown who have been selected in the draft, as Reynolds and the other four — Doug Dennison, Robert DiRico, Bruce Harper and Mike Kullman — signed with teams as undrafted free agents.

"It's encouraging that there are people (from Kutztown) that have made it to the highest level," Kapp said. "I'm just always trying to do what I can, (within) God's plan."

Kapp is eligible for the 2023 NFL draft, but also has two more years of NCAA eligibility remaining, as college athletes were granted extra time due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kapp said he remains undecided on his future beyond this season, and is focused on helping the Golden Bears win in 2022.

"I'm a one-day-at-a-time guy," Kapp said. "The guys on the field, I got to give my all for them, because they're giving their all. If I'm worried about that stuff in the future and I don't bring a 100% on the field, then I'm putting my whole team at a disadvantage."

Whether or not this is his final season at Kutztown, Kapp said he continues to enjoy playing at Andre Reed Stadium, just a short drive from his hometown. Kapp's family and friends regularly attend games, something for which he is very thankful.

"It means everything," Kapp said. "I never take it for granted."

With four games remaining in the regular season, Kapp is focused on leading the Golden Bears back to the national playoffs, something that will require the substantial effort and hard work with which he has grown quite familiar.

"We're happy with it, but we're not satisfied with it," Kapp said about the season. "There's always more to give, and we look forward to giving more."