Ken Kocher (UCLA) signs with L.A. Avengers
Published on December 2, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Ken Kocher, a former collegiate standout with the UCLA Bruins and member of the New England Patriots practice squad last season, has signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Kocher, who will be an offensive/defensive lineman with the Avengers, agreed to a two-year deal and will be in attendance at the three-day Avenger mini camp that begins on Thursday (Dec. 4) at West Los Angeles College.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Kocher was released by the Patriots on Aug. 24, after spending nearly a year with the club as both a defensive and offensive lineman. He signed his first NFL contract on April 26, 2002, inking a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers. Kocher remained with the Packers until the final cut prior to the start of the 2002 regular season.
"Ken Kocher is a big, physical lineman who has experience playing both offense and defense at the NFL level," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to an 11-5 record and No. 4 playoff seed last season in his second year with the club. "He epitomizes the type of two-way player we have been seeking at the line of scrimmage, and we expect him to make a quick adjustment to the AFL game and make an impact this season."
Since making the first start of his UCLA career in the 1999 Rose Bowl versus Wisconsin as a true freshman, Kocher quickly became a fixture along the Bruin defensive line. A well-respected team leader, he was known for his size, strength and tenacity. Kocher played in 41 games for UCLA and finished his career in Westwood with 89 tackles (16 for losses of 58 yards) and three quarterback sacks.
Kocher attended Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, Calif., where he registered 124 tackles, 18 sacks, six forced fumbles and a blocked field goal as a senior defensive lineman in 1997. He was a USA Today All-USA and SuperPrep All-America selection. In addition, Kocher was named the SuperPrep "Far West Defensive Player of the Year" and was a unanimous selection to the Long Beach Press-Telegram's "Best in the West" team. He also played two seasons of baseball at Patrick Henry and was honored as a Scholar-Leader Athlete by the San Diego chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Born on July 39, 1980 in Fullerton, Calif., Kocher currently resides in San Diego. He was a history major at UCLA and played alongside his younger brother, Matt, who walked on to the Bruin team in 2000. Kocher was a youth leader in the South Bay United Pentecostal Church.
Avenger season tickets for the 2004 campaign, which begins on Feb. 8, are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
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