This off-season, the LA KISS have made several key acquisitions, on both sides of the ball, to bolster the roster for the 2016 season. LA KISS CEO, Joe Windham, who also hired Omarr Smith as the new head coach, is enthusiastic about the talent he has acquired.
“I am very excited about how the team is shaping up this year, and we plan to compete for a championship this year,” said Joe Windham. “The fans have been great and are showing a lot of support. We can’t wait to show them how great LA KISS Football can be.”
Some of the new key players are; quarterback Nathan Stanley, wide receiver Caleb Holley, wide receiver Justin Wilson, offensive lineman JJ Unga, fullback John Martinez, fullback Rory Nixon, offensive lineman Travis Bond, offensive lineman Marcus Reed, defensive end Derrick Summers, defensive end Rodney Fritz, defensive back Qumain Black, defensive end Caesar Rayford, defensive lineman Marcus Pittman, defensive back Terrence Smith, wide receiver Amarri Jackson, wide receiver Brandon Collins, defensive lineman Gustave Benthin, wide receiver DJ Stephens, and center Matt Armstrong.
Nathan Stanley (6’4″, 225 lbs, Quarterback), is entering his 3rd year in the AFL. Stanley’s career started in 2014 where he threw for 2,436 yards and 50 touchdowns as a rookie for the San Jose SaberCats. The following season Stanley was a back-up Quarterback for the SaberCats but he still put up impressive numbers; throwing for 723 yards and 20 touchdowns in 9 games. In week 7, Stanley was named “Russell Athlete Offensive Player of the Week”, when he threw for 242 yards and 7 touchdowns in a victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws.
Caleb Holley (6’2″, 195 lbs, Wide Receiver), is entering his 1st season in the AFL. He attended East Central University where in his senior season he had a school record 970 yards to go along with 55 receptions and 9 TD’s. Following college, Holley made the Buffalo Bills practice squad in 2014 and joined them for training camp the following season.
Justin Wilson (6’1″, 188 lbs, Wide Receiver), is entering his 1st season in the AFL. He attended Delaware State where he is ranked 2nd for receptions (189), 4th for touchdowns (23) and 4th in receiving yards (2,416). Following college, Wilson made the Green Bay Packers training camp in 2013 and also played the last 2 years in the CFL.
JJ Unga (6’5″, 320 lbs, Offensive Line), brings multiple years of NFL experience to the LA KISS. He was signed, as an undrafted free agent, by the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Unga was signed, from the Ravens practice squad, to the Buffalo Bills active roster in November 2013. He appeared in 3 games for the Bills during the 2013 season. In December 2014, one month after being assigned to the Arizona Rattlers, he was signed back onto the Ravens practice squad.
John Martinez (6’2”, 305, Fullback), is entering his third season in the AFL. He has spent his first two seasons with the Portland Thunder. He saw action in 2 games during his 2014 rookie season. Martinez had a remarkable 2015 season. He played in all 18 games and was an integral part of the Thunder’s offensive attack. The offensive lineman was also used as a short-yardage specialist at fullback. Martinez gained 66 yards on 46 attempts, while setting the Portland Thunders’ franchise record of 14 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 8 passes, totaling 70 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.
Rory Nixon (6’1”, 305 lbs, Fullback), is joining the LA KISS after spending his first 2 years in the AFL with the Spokane Shock. Nixon is a very versatile player, who can impact the game as both a fullback and a center. Nixon, after starting 5 games for the Shock in 2014, started 17 games in 2015. As a fullback, Nixon has totaled 56 rushing yards, on 26 attempts, and has scored 3 touchdowns. In 2014, the 3rd year player also spent time on the defensive side of the ball. As a defensive lineman, he collected 29 total tackles, forced, and recovered, a fumble and had one interception.
Travis Bond (6’6″, 329 lbs, Offensive Lineman), is entering his 1st season in the AFL. Bond played collegiate football at the University of North Carolina where he appeared in 51 games in his 4 year career. Following college, Bond spent two seasons in the NFL, with the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and St. Louis Rams.
Marcus Reed (6’4″, 340 lbs, Offensive Lineman), is entering his 1st season in the AFL. Reed most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to being a part of the Chiefs, Reed was a All-CIAA 2nd Team as a senior at FSU where he started all 10 games at the guard spot. During that season, the FSU offense finished the season ranked sixth in passing in the CIAA and seventh in rushing.
Derrick Summers (6’1″, 270 lbs, Defensive End), is now entering his 5th season in the AFL. After graduating from the University of Toledo, Derrick spent three seasons with the Jacksonville Sharks and two seasons with the Spokane Shock. In his five-year career Summers has tallied up 35.5 sacks and 149 tackles.
Rodney Fritz (6’1′, 270 lbs, Defensive End), comes to the LA KISS from the San Jose SaberCats. As a rookie, Fritz played in 9 games where he racked up 11 tackles and 5 sacks. Prior to joining the AFL, Fritz had spent time in the Canadian Football League where he played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2011-13) and the Toronto Argonauts (2013).
Qumain Black (5’10”, 199 lbs, Cornerback), comes to the LA KISS from the Chicago Bears and is entering his 1st season in the AFL. Black was signed by the Bears following the 2015 draft from East Central University. At East Central, Black was a 4 year starter and earned “All-GAC First Team Selection” and made the “Don Hansen All-Super Region Three Third Team,” in 2013.
Caesar Rayford (6’7′, 275 lbs, Defensive End), first joined the AFL in 2010. His presence on the defensive side of the ball helped the Utah Blaze become one of the best defenses in the league, from 2010-2013. During his time with the Blaze, Rayford had 82.5 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns, and 16 pass breakups. His strength and force on the field caught the attention of the NFL. Rayford was signed by the Indianapolis Colts and then traded to the Dallas Cowboys, prior to the 2013 season. During that season, Rayford appeared in 7 games and recorded a total of five tackles. Following his time with the Cowboys, he joined the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he played for the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes. Most recently, Rayford was in training camp with the Minnesota Vikings for the 2015 season.
Marcus Pittman (6’5″, 290 lbs, Defensive Line), signed a 2-year contract with the LA KISS. He is praised, across the AFL, as one of the most reliable defensive lineman. Pittman is going into his 7th season with the AFL. He entered the league in 2010 and has spent his previous 6 seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. Pittman’s 8.5 sacks, in 2011, set the Rattlers’ single-season sack record. Pittman is reuniting with his former defensive coordinator, Omarr Smith, and president, Joe Windham. During his time in Arizona, Pittman played under Windham for 4, very successful seasons, all of which the Rattler’s made it to the ArenaBowl championship (2011,2012, 2013, 2014). Pittman and Windham won the ArenaBowl championship 3 times (2012, 2013, 2014), two of which, (2012, 2013) coach Smith lead the Rattlers’ defense. Pittman, in his AFL career, has racked up 110 total tackles, including 28.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss. In addition, he has forced 8 fumbles and has recorded 8 fumble recoveries. The 29-year-old, is from Broadway, North Carolina, and attended Troy University.
Terrence Smith (6’2″, 200 lbs, Defensive Back), brings tremendous experience to the team. His resume includes time in the NFL, as a member of the 2010 Green Bay Packers practice squad. Smith is entering his 6th season in the AFL. He joined the league in 2011 and has spent all of his first 5 seasons with the Jacksonville Sharks. During his time with the Sharks, Smith was a front-runner on both sides of the ball and played a key role in Jacksonville’s 2011 and 2015 ArenaBowl appearances. Smith’s breakout season occurred in 2012, when, not only did he set an all-time franchise record with 2,984 all-purpose yards and caught 29 touchdowns as a receiver, he also tallied 21.5 tackles and 2 interceptions for Jacksonville’s defense. Smith was recognized around the league as one of the best all-around players and was awarded the AFL “All-Ironman Team”. In 2013 Smith was awarded to the “First-Team All-Arena”. Smith, to go along with 47 total touchdowns, has racked up 281.5 total tackles, 31 interceptions, and 6 fumble recoveries, in his first 5 AFL seasons. The 28-year-old was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, where he attended Aiken High School.
Amarri Jackson (6’4”, 220 lbs, Wide Receiver), is bringing 5 years of AFL experience to the LA KISS. Jackson entered the AFL in 2011 and immediately became known as one of the most explosive players in the league. During his rookie season, he tied the Tampa Bay Storm’s single-season record with 125 receptions, while also racking up 1,619 receiving yards and hauling in 35 touchdowns. Most recently, in 2015, Jackson played for the Cleveland Gladiators where he assumed the role of primary kick returner. He thrived in this role, totaling 1,532 kick return yards (20.7 yards per return) and 3 kick return touchdowns. Jackson has caught 488 passes for 5,478 yards and 109 touchdowns in his career. From 2008 through 2010, Jackson was brought into NFL and CFL training camps. He was brought in by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008, 2009) and then joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) in 2010. Although, Jackson never made the final roster, he gained valuable experience and picked up many leadership skills.
Brandon Collins (5’11”, 180, Wide Receiver), is entering his second season in the AFL. He has spent time during his first season with the defending ArenaBowl Champions, San Jose Sabercats. Collins will add fuel to what is shaping up to be a high powered, 2016 LA KISS offense. Collins spent his collegiate career with University of Texas and Southeastern Louisiana University. Collins brings speed and agility to the LA KISS. He will add to the impressive receiving core and help out on special teams as well.
Gustave Benthin (6’2”, 285 lbs, Defensive Lineman), is joining the LA KISS after spending his first year in the AFL with the San Jose Sabercats. Benthin is a very adaptable player, who can play many different positions. Benthin played at Western Oregon University, where he was a three-time recipient of GNAC First Team honors . The 24-year-old is a native of Knappa, Oregon.