Younghoe Koo Bio
Younghoe Koo is a South Korean–American professional football placekicker known for his accuracy, range, and rare skill at executing onside kicks. He played college football at Georgia Southern University before beginning his professional career with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. After a short stint in the Alliance of American Football, Koo established himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers with the Atlanta Falcons, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 as the league’s leading scorer. He currently plays for the New York Giants after being released by Atlanta in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Younghoe Koo was born on August 3, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. He grew up playing soccer and developed his kicking ability by winning a regional kicking competition in his home country. When he was 12 years old, Koo moved to the United States to live with his mother, who had relocated to New Jersey two years earlier to work as a nurse. His father remained in Seoul, where he served as a professor at Induk University.
After settling in New Jersey, Koo attended Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, where he joined the football team. He was named team MVP his senior season, contributing on both special teams and defense while recording six interceptions. His performance at Ridgewood helped him earn a scholarship to play college football at Georgia Southern University.
Path to Professional Football
At Georgia Southern University, Koo spent four seasons as the kicker for the Georgia Southern Eagles from 2013 to 2016. He set team records by converting 89.7 percent of his field goal attempts (26 of 29) and 96.9 percent of his extra point attempts (62 of 64), finishing his college career with 140 points, ninth-most in school history. In his senior season, he earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation’s top college kicker.
Following the 2017 NFL Draft, Koo signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He won the starting kicker job over veteran Josh Lambo and became just the fourth player in NFL history born in South Korea.
Younghoe Koo Career
Early Career (2017)
Koo began his rookie season by appearing in the Chargers’ 2017 opener against the Denver Broncos, where his 44-yard game-tying field goal attempt in the final seconds was blocked by Shelby Harris. He missed another game-winning attempt the following week against the Miami Dolphins. After converting all of his kicks in the next two games, Koo was released by the winless Chargers after Week 4 and replaced by veteran Nick Novak. Overall with the Chargers, Koo made 3 of 6 field goal attempts and recorded 8 touchbacks on 14 kickoffs.
Atlanta Legends Breakthrough (2019)
On January 14, 2019, Koo signed with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He quickly made history by scoring the first points in AAF regular season history with a 38-yard field goal against the Orlando Apollos. Koo remained perfect throughout his time in the league, including a 33-yard game winner against the Arizona Hotshots and a game-winning 35-yard kick with nine seconds left against the Memphis Express, which earned him AAF Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished 14 of 14 on field goals before the league suspended operations in April 2019.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2019–2025)
After a brief stint on the New England Patriots’ practice squad in October 2019, Koo was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on October 29, 2019. In his Falcons debut against the New Orleans Saints, he made all four of his field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder, and both extra points in a 26–9 win. He went on to earn NFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice during the 2019 season.
In 2020, Koo became the NFL’s leading scorer and was selected to his first Pro Bowl on December 20, 2020. He finished that season making 37 of 39 field goal attempts and 33 of 36 extra point attempts. Koo signed a five-year, $24.25 million contract extension with the Falcons on March 15, 2022, cementing his role as Atlanta’s long-term kicker.
From 2021 through 2024, Koo continued delivering clutch performances, including multiple game-winning field goals and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In 2024, he converted a career-long 58-yard field goal against the New Orleans Saints in a Week 4 divisional win. He was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2024, with a hip injury, and was released by the Falcons on September 19, 2025, after struggling early in the 2025 season.
New York Giants Era (2025)
Koo was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on September 23, 2025, and made his first start for the team on November 9, 2025, after kicker Graham Gano was injured. He was perfect in his debut, making two field goals and two extra points. Koo was waived by the Giants on December 16, 2025, after missing two 54-yard field goal attempts during a Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Driving Style and Strengths
Younghoe Koo is recognized for his smooth left-footed kicking motion, strong leg strength, and dependable accuracy from inside 50 yards. He is particularly respected for his rare ability to execute successful onside kicks, a skill that has influenced game strategy at critical moments. Coaches and teammates have repeatedly praised his professionalism and mental toughness under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Koo scored the first points in Alliance of American Football history in February 2019. He was named the NFL’s leading scorer and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He also converted a career-long 58-yard field goal against the New Orleans Saints during the 2024 season.
Younghoe Koo Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Younghoe Koo has been a consistent contributor on special teams, known for multiple game-winning field goals and steady accuracy. His 2020 Pro Bowl season and his continued clutch performances with the Falcons established him as one of the league’s top placekickers.
NFL Highlights
Koo earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020 after leading the league in scoring. He has delivered several game-winning kicks, including a 40-yard field goal against the New York Giants in 2021, a 51-yarder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, and a career-long 58-yarder against the New Orleans Saints in 2024.
Other Performances
During his time with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF, Koo was a perfect 14 of 14 on field goal attempts before the league suspended operations in 2019.
Younghoe Koo Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Younghoe Koo was raised by his mother, who moved to New Jersey to work as a nurse when he was young, while his father remained in South Korea as a professor at Induk University. The family separation shaped Koo’s early life and motivated his transition to American football.
Personal Life
Younghoe Koo married Ava Maurer in 2023. The couple has been supportive of his NFL career throughout his time with the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants.
2025 Season Performance
Younghoe Koo’s 2025 NFL season began with the Atlanta Falcons, where he struggled with accuracy early in the year. After going 2 of 3 on field goal attempts in Week 1 and being benched in Week 2, he was released by Atlanta on September 19. The Falcons signed John Parker Romo to handle kicking duties during their Week 3 matchup.
Koo was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on September 23, 2025, and made his first start for the team on November 9, 2025, after Graham Gano was injured. He was perfect in that debut, but later struggled, including a Week 13 game against the New England Patriots in which he missed the football entirely. He was waived by the Giants on December 16, 2025, after missing two 54-yard field goal attempts during a Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders.
