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The University of Mississippi Athletics
2024 Football Roster
Jersey Number 16
Justin Kowalak
- Position:
- QB
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-0 / 205
- Hometown:
- Crystal Lake, Ill.
- High School:
- Crystal Lake South
- Prev. College:
- Northeast Mississippi CC
- Major:
- Multi-Disciplinary Studies
2024 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE): Entered transfer portal in April 2025 following spring drills ... Did not appear in any games for the Rebels … Non-scholarship player who joined the team prior to the start of fall camp.
NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI CC: All-conference quarterback for the Tigers in 2023, going 103-for-193 passing for 1,252 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions ... Also rushed for two touchdowns.
EASTERN ILLINOIS: Appeared in one game during the 2022 season and redshirted ... Played in reserve role against nationally ranked Southeast Missouri, went 1-for-4 passing for nine yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter at quarterback at Crystal Lake South ... Three-time all-conference … Battled injuries as a senior but finished prep career with more than 5,000 yards passing and 30 touchdown passes … Named honorable mention IFCA Class 6A All-State during shortened 2021 spring COVID season after passing for 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns in six games … Spent much of youth growing up in Poland and England with first real exposure to football coming on return to United States prior to freshman year in high school.
PERSONAL: Full name is Justin Paul Kowalak … Born Apri 29, 2004 … Son of Jay Kowalak and Karina Twarda … Multi-disciplinary studies major.
NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI CC: All-conference quarterback for the Tigers in 2023, going 103-for-193 passing for 1,252 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions ... Also rushed for two touchdowns.
EASTERN ILLINOIS: Appeared in one game during the 2022 season and redshirted ... Played in reserve role against nationally ranked Southeast Missouri, went 1-for-4 passing for nine yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter at quarterback at Crystal Lake South ... Three-time all-conference … Battled injuries as a senior but finished prep career with more than 5,000 yards passing and 30 touchdown passes … Named honorable mention IFCA Class 6A All-State during shortened 2021 spring COVID season after passing for 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns in six games … Spent much of youth growing up in Poland and England with first real exposure to football coming on return to United States prior to freshman year in high school.
PERSONAL: Full name is Justin Paul Kowalak … Born Apri 29, 2004 … Son of Jay Kowalak and Karina Twarda … Multi-disciplinary studies major.
PRESSER | Fiesta Bowl Postgame vs. Miami (01-08-26)
Friday, January 09
HIGHLIGHTS: FB vs. Miami (CFP) (1-8-2026)
Friday, January 09
PRESSER | Pete Golding - Joint Fiesta Bowl Press Conference (01-07-26)
Wednesday, January 07
PRESSER | Trinidad Chambliss - Fiesta Bowl Media Day (01-06-26)
Wednesday, January 07
