College
Shifted to left outside linebacker as a senior, garnering All-MWC first-team honors for the third consecutive year. He ranked third on the squad with a career-high 79 tackles (35 solos), adding five sacks, 12 stops for losses, five pressures and a fumble recovery. In 47 games with the Cougars, Poppinga started 25 times. He finished his career with 193 tackles (99 solos), 19 sacks for minus-120 yards, 39 stops for losses of 162 yards and nine pressures. His 19 sacks rank seventh on the school's career-record list. He also recovered five fumbles, caused four others, intercepted a pass and deflected another.

High School
All-state selection at linebacker and tight end for Evanston (Wyo.) High School … Lettered three times in football and basketball and four times in track … Named the Class 4-A lineman of the year and selected to the Wyoming Super-25 team … As a senior, he led Evanston to a 9-1 record and a 4-A state title … Finished second in the 1997 state discus competition.