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- Induction Year:
- 2015
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- Graduation Year:
- 2005
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- Sports:
- Football
Bio
- 1st Team All-American Defensive Back – 2003
- 1st Team all-Iowa Conference – 2003, 2004
- 3-time all-Iowa Conference – 2002, 2003, 2004
A ball-hawking cornerback with game-breaking speed and a knack for making big plays, Kyle Westphal was one of the most feared players in the nation during his career at Simpson.
From 2002-04, Westphal never finished lower than seventh in Division III in total passes defended, finishing fifth in both 2002 (24) and 2003 (23). His impact was felt the most during the Storm’s run to the NCAA Tournament in 2003, when the 6-3 Westphal intercepted 10 passes, broke up 13, forced six fumbles and recovered six. In the regular season finale against Upper Iowa, Westphal earned co-National Player of the Week honors from the Don Hansen Football Gazette with three interception, five tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups.
Despite seeing fewer passes go his way as a senior in 2004, Westphal still managed 16 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. He also factored into the return game late in the season and broke off kick returns of 62 and 71 yards. Westphal closed his career with 19 interceptions and school records with 53 pass breakups and seven forced fumbles. He ranks fourth in Division III history with 64 passes defended.
Originally from Fontanelle, Iowa, Westphal graduated from Simpson with a bachelor’s degree in management and sports administration. He went on to earn his master’s degree in athletic administration from Northwest Missouri State University in 2006.
