Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

This story was originally published in August 2016.

AMES, Ia. — When it came time to find a new college, quarterback Kyle Kempt knew he wanted to play for Matt Campbell. He just didn’t know where that would be.

Kempt was so intent on playing for Campbell that he followed the coach to Iowa State, where he’s a walk-on and third on the depth chart.

“I knew at that point I was either going to Toledo or going wherever he was going,” said Kempt, who is from Massillon, Ohio. “So I ended up coming here. It was a great decision."

During his high school days, Kempt was a three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports. He capped his senior season by throwing for 3,056 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Kempt's big debut: Iowa State 38, No. 3 Oklahoma 31: What we learned

Campbell, also from Massillon, was intrigued. But the then-Toledo coach wasn’t the only one looking at Kempt. The quarterback originally committed to Cincinnati but backed out after a coaching change. He then landed a scholarship at Oregon State, where he spent his first two seasons without taking a snap.

After a coaching change at Oregon State, he moved on to Hutchinson Community College for a semester and didn't play a game there. Once again, he popped up on Campbell’s radar. Kempt visited Toledo for what turned out to be Campbell’s last game with the Rockets on Nov. 27, 2015. Not long after, Campbell was hired as the new coach at Iowa State. Kempt didn’t care where Campbell was coaching. He wanted to play for him after talking to friends who had played for Campbell in the past.

“It’s all these things that you’ve heard about him, picked up from these guys that I personally know,” Kempt said.

Joel Lanning is Iowa State’s starting quarterback, and Jacob Park is his backup. After that, there’s Kempt, who hasn’t taken a snap in a game since his senior season in high school.

"I'm definitely back into the full swing of things," Kempt said. "But you could say that I was a little rusty when I showed up."

Peterson's first word: In Oklahoma upset, Iowa State did the unbelievable.

Kempt has already impressed Campbell. When quarterback Zeb Noland suffered a season-ending injury, Kempt moved into the third-string spot.

“Kyle has been really good,” Campbell said. “We’ve all been fortunate we’ve had Kyle Kempt. He’s really done a nice job. That’s huge to have a guy like Kyle potentially be a third guy.”

Iowa State passing game coordinator Jim Hofher: "Kyle has done an excellent job from a mental standpoint. That has to be his game, to be smart, understanding, quick twitch decisions. That's going to help him perform at his best."

A lot has changed since Kempt first enrolled in college. A redshirt junior, Kempt is no longer the up-and-coming recruit. His parents pay for his tuition while he continues to chase his college football playing dream.

“It’s a humbling experience but I’m lucky enough to have a great family that provides for me and they gave me the opportunity to come here,” Kempt said.

"I love Iowa State, love the Midwest, this is one of the closest teams I've been a part of ... it's a great fit," Kempt said.

How Kempt got the job: Iowa State starting quarterback Jacob Park takes leave of absence from the team