Kobel attended Santaluces High School in Latana, Florida and was a student and a letterman in football, wrestling, and baseball.
At South Florida, Kobel tied Kawika Mitchell's single season record for most tackles for loss with 19, in 2003.
[3] On August 29, 2005, Kobel participated in a rookie mini-camp on a try-out contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kobel was limited in the pre-season action by a sports hernia and underwent season-ending surgery.
[6] Kobel signed a contract as a draft pick with Team Florida of the All-American Football League.