Eastern Michigan Athletics
Kim Granted Extra Year of Eligibility, Set to Return for 2026 Season
1/7/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
EMU’s starting quarterback spent time at Michigan State and Coastal Carolina
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University quarterback Noah Kim (Centreville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina) was granted an extension of eligibility waiver from the NCAA for another year of eligibility and will return to EMU for the 2026 season.
"Getting Noah back for another year is huge news for our program," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "A second year in our system gives him an opportunity to really reach his full potential. He will be a two-time captain and led the MAC in passing this past year. We are fired up.
Kim has appeared in 29 career games across three schools with 120 rushing attempts for 451 net rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. As a passer, he has completed 382-of-637 attempts for 31 touchdowns while posting a 60.0 completion percentage. He recorded a 128.58 career passing efficiency rating and averaged 152.2 passing yards per game with 13.2 completions per contest. His combined passing and rushing output produced 4,658 yards of total offense.
"It is a tremendous blessing to return for another year and compete alongside my brothers and the coaching staff as we continue elevating Eastern Michigan football," Kim added. "I extend my sincere appreciation to God, Coach Creighton, the entire coaching staff, my teammates, and the athletics department for their unwavering support in making my return possible. We have a lot to look forward to this year!"
During the 2025 season at Eastern Michigan, Kim served as the central driver of the offense and delivered one of the most complete quarterback seasons in the Mid-American Conference. He started every game and guided an offense that ranked third in the conference in total offense and second in passing offense at 234.8 yards per game. Eastern Michigan averaged 377.3 yards of total offense per game and finished 76th nationally while navigating a demanding defensive schedule.
Kim became just the sixth EMU QB to start every contest dating back to 2004. Kim, who was on the field for 829 plays in 2025, joined Cole Snyder (2024), Preston Hutchinson (2020), Brogan Roback (2017), Alex Gillett (2010-11), and Matt Bohnet (2004) as the other EMU signal callers to do so. Furthermore, he is poised to become the first EMU quarterback to start in back-to-back season openers since Hutchinson in 2020 and 2021.
Kim completed 61.4 percent of his passes and averaged a conference-best 20.6 completions per game. He threw for 2,817 yards, leading the conference and ranking 41st nationally, while his 234.8 passing yards per game ranked first in the league and inside the national top 40. He added 18 passing touchdowns, third most in the conference, and posted a 129.6 passing efficiency rating.
His impact extended beyond passing numbers. Kim rushed for six touchdowns – the first running scores of his collegiate career – and emerged as a reliable short-yardage and red-zone option. Eastern Michigan converted 94.6 percent of red zone opportunities, ranking third nationally and first in the conference. Kim accounted for 150 total points, the highest figure in the league, and averaged 12.5 points per game. He produced 250.3 yards of total offense per game, ranking second in the conference and 44th nationally.
Situational execution stood out throughout the season. Eastern Michigan ranked first in the conference in fourth down conversion percentage at 61.1 percent and finished eighth nationally in fewest sacks. Ball security remained a strength as the Eagles ranked among the national leaders in fewest fumbles lost.
Kim's career arc reflected steady growth. At Michigan State, he appeared in four games during the 2022 season and completed 14-of-19 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring throws against Akron, Minnesota, and Ohio State. He earned early experience during the 2020 redshirt season and did not see game action in 2021. In 2023, he opened the year as the starter and finished with 1,090 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions while averaging 218.0 yards per game. He earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after a 292-yard, three-touchdown performance against Richmond and followed with strong outings against Central Michigan, Maryland, and Iowa.
Kim added experience at Coastal Carolina in 2024, appearing in seven games and completing 30 of 56 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 11.1 yards per completion and posted his top performance against Louisiana with 182 yards and two scores.
"Getting Noah back for another year is huge news for our program," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "A second year in our system gives him an opportunity to really reach his full potential. He will be a two-time captain and led the MAC in passing this past year. We are fired up.
Kim has appeared in 29 career games across three schools with 120 rushing attempts for 451 net rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. As a passer, he has completed 382-of-637 attempts for 31 touchdowns while posting a 60.0 completion percentage. He recorded a 128.58 career passing efficiency rating and averaged 152.2 passing yards per game with 13.2 completions per contest. His combined passing and rushing output produced 4,658 yards of total offense.
"It is a tremendous blessing to return for another year and compete alongside my brothers and the coaching staff as we continue elevating Eastern Michigan football," Kim added. "I extend my sincere appreciation to God, Coach Creighton, the entire coaching staff, my teammates, and the athletics department for their unwavering support in making my return possible. We have a lot to look forward to this year!"
During the 2025 season at Eastern Michigan, Kim served as the central driver of the offense and delivered one of the most complete quarterback seasons in the Mid-American Conference. He started every game and guided an offense that ranked third in the conference in total offense and second in passing offense at 234.8 yards per game. Eastern Michigan averaged 377.3 yards of total offense per game and finished 76th nationally while navigating a demanding defensive schedule.
Kim became just the sixth EMU QB to start every contest dating back to 2004. Kim, who was on the field for 829 plays in 2025, joined Cole Snyder (2024), Preston Hutchinson (2020), Brogan Roback (2017), Alex Gillett (2010-11), and Matt Bohnet (2004) as the other EMU signal callers to do so. Furthermore, he is poised to become the first EMU quarterback to start in back-to-back season openers since Hutchinson in 2020 and 2021.
Kim completed 61.4 percent of his passes and averaged a conference-best 20.6 completions per game. He threw for 2,817 yards, leading the conference and ranking 41st nationally, while his 234.8 passing yards per game ranked first in the league and inside the national top 40. He added 18 passing touchdowns, third most in the conference, and posted a 129.6 passing efficiency rating.
His impact extended beyond passing numbers. Kim rushed for six touchdowns – the first running scores of his collegiate career – and emerged as a reliable short-yardage and red-zone option. Eastern Michigan converted 94.6 percent of red zone opportunities, ranking third nationally and first in the conference. Kim accounted for 150 total points, the highest figure in the league, and averaged 12.5 points per game. He produced 250.3 yards of total offense per game, ranking second in the conference and 44th nationally.
Situational execution stood out throughout the season. Eastern Michigan ranked first in the conference in fourth down conversion percentage at 61.1 percent and finished eighth nationally in fewest sacks. Ball security remained a strength as the Eagles ranked among the national leaders in fewest fumbles lost.
Kim's career arc reflected steady growth. At Michigan State, he appeared in four games during the 2022 season and completed 14-of-19 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring throws against Akron, Minnesota, and Ohio State. He earned early experience during the 2020 redshirt season and did not see game action in 2021. In 2023, he opened the year as the starter and finished with 1,090 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions while averaging 218.0 yards per game. He earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after a 292-yard, three-touchdown performance against Richmond and followed with strong outings against Central Michigan, Maryland, and Iowa.
Kim added experience at Coastal Carolina in 2024, appearing in seven games and completing 30 of 56 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 11.1 yards per completion and posted his top performance against Louisiana with 182 yards and two scores.
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