Latest news with #Kroeger
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York Jets sign former South Carolina football punter Kai Kroeger
After not being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft and getting seven NFL minicamp invites, South Carolina football punter Kai Kroeger was signed by the New York Jets, the team announced on May 13. In addition to signing Kroeger, the Jets released veteran punter Thomas Morstead, who had been the starter the last two seasons. Morstead has been in the NFL since 2009 and played his first 12 seasons for the New Orleans Saints. Advertisement The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Kroeger spent five seasons as South Carolina's starter and averaged 44.6 yards per punt, which is the second most in school history. Kroeger and Austin McNamara, who the Jets signed in March, are the only two punters on the roster. McNamara was 2024 undrafted free agent who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals before getting waived last summer. Kroeger had a remarkable season in 2022, highlighted by the Clemson game. He had a 63-yard punt that landed just inside the 5-yard line late in the fourth quarter, with South Carolina up 31-30. He averaged 53.7 yards on seven punts in the game with three inside the 5-yard line. He was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week six times during his career. Kroeger had 68 punts travel 50 plus yards, 100 punts spotted inside the 20. He is second in SEC history with 11,823 punting yards. Advertisement In 2024, he averaged a career-best 47.8-yards per punt which ranked third in the nation. Kai Kroeger's stats with South Carolina football 2024: 47.8 yards per punt, 2,248 total yards, 2,128 net yards, 18 punts inside the 20 (38.3%) 2023: 43.2 yards per punt, 2,248 total yards, 2,596 net yards, 22 punts inside the 20 (35.5%) 2022: 46.1 yards per punt, 2,675 total yards, 2,575 net yards, 29 punts inside the 20 (50%) 2021: 42.9 yards per punt, 2,534 total yards, 2,494 net yards, 22 punts inside the 20 (37.3%) 2020: 43.3 yards per punt, 1,690 yards, eight inside the 20 (20.5%) Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@ and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin This article originally appeared on Greenville News: New York Jets sign former South Carolina punter Kai Kroeger
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
3 QC men face felony charges after thefts at Home Depot, Bettendorf
Three Quad Cities men face charges after police say they were involved in a scheme to steal tools from Home Depot, Bettendorf, according to Scott County Court documents. Rodney Kroeger, 57, of Davenport, faces felony charges of second-degree theft and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony; aggravated misdemeanor charges of identity theft under $1,500, unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500; and possession of a controlled substance – second offense, affidavits show. Shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, Kroeger, with two other people, was involved in making 'multiple fraudulent transactions,' according to Bettendorf Police in Scott County Court affidavits. The transaction totaled $1,519.08 at Home Depot, 920 Middle Road, Bettendorf Kroeger and one of the other people selected items from Home Depot shelves then left the items in a cart, and a third person took the cart and tried to buy the merchandise using a Home Depot account that belonged to a victim, affidavits say. According to affidavits, the second suspect provided a fictitious identification card with the victim's name and the victim's Social Security card, charging the victim's credit card. Another co-conspirator waited outside by his vehicle until Kroeger and the other person came out with the merchandise. During a search of Kroeger's person, officers found a small plastic bag with what proved to be methamphetamine (1.11 grams,) according to affidavits, which say Kroeger previously was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in Scott County in 2005. Kroeger,, who was released on his own recognizance, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 22 in Scott County Court. Rasneep Singh faces felony charges of second-degree theft and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, along with aggravated misdemeanor charges of identity theft under $1,500 and unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500, according to affidavits. Affidavits say that shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, Singh and two other people conspired to make a fraudulent transaction totaling $789,92 at Home Depot, 920 Middle Road, Bettendorf. Police say in affidavits that Singh selected Home Depot merchandise, left the items in a cart, and a co-conspirator took the merchandise to the register and tried to purchase it using a victim's payment card account. After the register declined the purchase, the Home Depot Loss Prevention staff called Bettendorf Police while the suspects were still in the store because of a similar successful theft the day before, affidavits say. The suspects were detained upon leaving the store. One had a fictional driver's license with the victim's name and the suspect's photo, police say in affidavits. Police say that on Monday, the conspirators were involved in a similar scheme to purchase $736.16 in merchandise using a victim's Social Security number and the fictitious driver's license to access the victim's account. Police say Singh left the store before the other co-conspirators and, after the items were purchased, met at Sngh's car to load the items. After he was read his Miranda Rights, Singh admitted to meeting a co-conspirator at the store, where the co-conspirator sold him $800 in gift cards for about $362 cash, affidavits show. Singh said he left the items at the cash register for a conspirator because the other person wanted to keep shopping. Singh, who was released on his own recognizance, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 22 in Scott County Court. Taquille Collins, of Moline, who turns 30 on Friday, faces felony charges of second-degree theft and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony; aggravated misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500 and identity theft under $1,500; and a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine – first offense, according to affidavits. Collins and a co-defendant were seen on a security camera buying DeWalt Tools with a victim's Home Depot card information and Social Security number, according to affidavits, which say Collins presented a fictitious Oklahoma driver's license with the victim's name on it. They left the store with $736.16 of DeWalt Tools on Monday, affidavits show. On Tuesday, Home Depot Loss Prevention staff saw Collins and a co-defendant in the store shortly before 1 p.m. appearing to conduct the same scheme as the day before. Collins and the co-defendant tried to buy $782.92 in items. Collins 'worked in concert to commit a felony level theft with the two other co-defendants' and was the purchaser both Monday and Tuesday, police say in affidavits. The total value of merchandise stolen Monday and Tuesday in these incidents was $1,519.08, affidavits show. Collins had an Oklahoma driver's license with the victim's information and Collins' picture., along with 3.29 grams total package weight of ecstacy, which tested positive for methamphetamine, affidavits say. Collins, who was being held Thursday in Scott County Jail on a total $34,000 bond, is set for a preliminary hearing April 11 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos hosting fake punt specialist on pre-draft visit
The Denver Broncos signed punter Matt Haack to a one-year deal this week, but the team might not be done adding punters. Haack is the initial favorite to take over punter duties after the team lost Riley Dixon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during free agency, but he could face competition. One prospect to keep an eye on is South Carolina's Kai Kroeger. The 22-year-old prospect was a two-time All-SEC punter (2022 and 2024) and a one-time All-American (2022). He has pre-draft workouts scheduled with the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Broncos, according to Mike Uva of Kroeger spent time as a quarterback in high school and he was a big fake punt threat at South Carolina, completing 7-of-10 passing attempts for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He's got a leg, too: Kroeger averaged 44.6 yards per punt in five years with the Gamecocks, including a 47.8-yard average last fall. He is now projected a late-round or undrafted free agent prospect. Denver does not hold a seventh-round draft pick this year, but the team does have a trio of selections in the sixth round. The NFL draft will be held in Wisconsin from April 24-26. These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL draft: Denver Broncos host punter Kai Kroeger
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Rock Island man on motorcycle reported stolen had lock pick in his wallet: Police
A 40-year-old Rock Island man is scheduled to appear in court after Blue Grass Police say he was driving a stolen motorcycle and had a lock pick in his wallet, according to Scott County Court records. Joseph Kroeger faces a felony charge of second-degree theft and an aggravated misdemeanoir charge of driving while barred, Scott County Court records show. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Sunday, a Blue Grass Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle for operating with an expired registration and fraudulent use of registration, Scott County Court arrest affidavits say. Scott County court records show the registration sticker belonged on a white box van. The license plates affixed to the red 2002 Harley-Davidson belonged on a white 2001 American Eagle motorcycle, according to Scott County arrest affidavits, which say the VIN came back to the motorcycle, which was reported stolen out of Davenport since June of 2024. Kroeger, the driver and sole rider of the motorcycle, at first told police he was fixing the motorcycle's brakes for someone, then 'later changed his story' after he was read his Miranda Rights, and said he bought the motorcycle a few weeks ago for $2,500, according to affidavits, which say he 'changed his story multiple times' during his interaction with the officer. During a search at the Scott County Jail, an officer found 'what appeared to be a lock pick' in Kroeger's wallet. The lock pick was seized as well as Kroeger's phone. 'Additional follow up will be done in this case and additional charges will likely be filed,' affidavits say. Kroger, who was released on his own recognizance, is scheduled for arraignment April 17 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Already over capacity, homeless shelters overwhelmed by freezing temps
Already overwhelmed by a growing homeless population, local shelters are well over capacity as weeks of freezing temperatures plague the area. Father Bill's and MainSpring, which provides emergency shelter and services on the South Shore and across southern Massachusetts, has had a full house at its Quincy and Brockton locations for months. But this frigid winter has stretched the organization's resources even thinner. 'We have been hit with a double whammy,' said Kim Kroeger, Senior Director of Operations. 'Unfortunately, we're so over capacity that our 124 beds here aren't enough for a census of last night over 180 people… in this building sleeping.' The shelter will not turn away anyone in need. That means those who do not get a bed through their lottery system can receive a mat to sleep on in the dining room or any area that does not block a fire exit. If there is no further floor space, guests can sleep at a dining table. 'The numbers we're seeing now go really into a warming center, where we have these dining room tables up and we have people sit and we provide blankets and pillows to sit in a chair and sleep at night,' Kroeger said, acknowledging the conditions are not ideal but simply keeping people off the streets is the goal. 'It's warm, and there's food, and so, we're just trying to get everyone in from the outside.' In a Facebook post this week, Father Bill's and MainSpring informed the public of the strain on the shelters and put out an 'urgent' request for help in feeding the hundreds in need at Quincy's Yawkey Housing Resource Center and Brockton's MainSpring House. The organization asked for prepared meals for up to 200 guests at each location and received a heartwarming outpouring of support with dozens of offers from local restaurants, charitable groups, and individual residents. 'It's wonderful to see,' Kroeger said. 'I think people in these times really want to help where they can in feeding people.' Among the many volunteers are Stella and William Green, who helped serve guests hot meals Friday night on behalf of Bedford Street Church of Christ in Abington. The couple has been volunteering there for more than two years. 'As cold as it's been, it just breaks your heart,' Stella said. 'We love helping others in any that way we can.' MainSpring Guest Michael Krupnick, 72, told Boston 25 News he has been homeless since suffering a stroke and heart attack and losing his home. Krupnick said the services at MainSpring House are making a brutal winter and tough life transition more bearable. 'I came to Father Bill's, and I was accepted with open arms,' Krupnick said. 'They gave me an opportunity to establish myself again. I like myself again.' The Brockton shelter will move to a new location on Manley Street in the spring to offer not only 24-hour emergency shelter but also day services, a health center and a permanent housing option in an innovative building. As the organization continues to address the homelessness crisis, the need is ongoing for donations of money, meals, volunteer hours, warm clothing, and more. To coordinate a meal or partial meal delivery, visit: For monetary donations, visit: Donate – Father Bill's & MainSpring. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
