Michael Kozlakowski Maine Black Bears Game Worn & Signed Black & White Nike Alpha Cleats

Description

Michael Kozlakowski is a free agent defensive lineman/ linebacker most recently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kozlakowski was signed as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2016 NFL Draft. The defensive force played his college football for the Maine Black Bears. Kozlakowski was a member of Lynbrook High School’s 2010 Long Island Class III Championship Football Team.

By the time he graduated, the Lynbrook native had been named first team All-State, first team All-Long Island, Nassau County Championship Defensive MVP, Long Island Championship MVP, and a Thorpe Award finalist.

The 2010 season not only affirmed Kozlakowski’s place in Owls football history, but also gave credence to his popularity among northeast college football coaches. The defensive end/running back was recruited by UConn, Rutgers and Syracuse, and was offered scholarships to play at C.W Post and New Hampshire. Despite the allure of other programs, Kozlakowski felt most at home when he stepped onto the Maine campus.

Midway through fall camp at Maine, Kozlakowski was asked to redshirt. The redshirt allowed Kozlakowski to adjust to academic life in college, as well as the speed and complexity of Division I football. He finished the fall semester with a 2.98 GPA, including getting through a “grueling” history class. After his redshirt season, Kozlakowski saw two years of his college campaign end prematurely. In 2013 he ruptured a tendon in his biceps during summer practices. He endured the subsequent surgery and rehabilitation while his teammates captured the Colonial Athletic Association title, itching to get back on the field.

He finally did in August, 2014 against Norfolk State, dropping two ball-carriers behind the line of scrimmage before fate took another cruel twist. In the third quarter of that season-opening win, Kozlakowski felt the tendon rupture in his other biceps. More surgery, more rehabilitation, more prowling the sideline at football games he couldn’t join in.

The featured black and white size 12 nike alpha cleats were game worn by Kozlakowski in 2015 as a member of the Black Bears. The linebacker has signed the cleats and added “Game Worn” and “Go Black Bears!” in silver. The cleats show light use.