LA KISS OPENING NIGHT ROSTER TO BE A MIX OF
YOUNG AND VETERAN TALENT
Los Angeles, CA (April 1st, 2016) – With the conclusion of training camp this week, the LA KISS have announced the team’s initial 2016 24-man roster. The team is currently in preparation for the 2016 season opener versus the Jacksonville Sharks which will be played this Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 at Honda Center.
“I am really happy with the additions we were able to make to our core roster from last year,” said LA KISS CEO, Joe Windham. “Omarr has assembled a strong coaching staff that has been working around the clock to get the guys ready and I’m eager to see what we can do on the field against probably one of the most competitive AFL seasons yet.”
The LA KISS’ initial 24-man roster features twenty AFL veterans and four rookies. Six players return from the 2015 campaign, including 2015 First Team All-Arena wide receiver Donovan Morgan, 2015 Second Team All-Arena defensive back Rayshaun Kizer, offensive linemen Kody Afusia and Shannon Tevaga, defensive back Josh Victorian and kicker Andre Heidari.
“Our Coaching staff feels confident that we have compiled the right 24 guys to start the season on a high note,” said Head Coach, Omarr Smith. “We have a good mix of rookies and veterans and we look forward to a good showing on April 2nd.”
The front four of the defense has been completely revamped for 2016. All-Arena performer Derrick Summers, who played with Spokane for the past two seasons, will lead the charge at Mac linebacker along with Marcus Pittman, Gustave Benthin and Rodney Fritz on the defensive line.
Defensive back Clevan Thomas, an AFL Hall of Famer, three-time AFL defensive player of the year and six-time All-Arena selection will join Kizer in the defensive backfield. Thomas and Kizer rank second and third in league history with 78 and 62 interceptions, respectively. Both players are also ranked in the top-10 of the AFL’s all-time record book in interception return yards, interception return touchdowns and pass breakups.
The LA KISS opens its third season at home versus the Jacksonville Sharks on Saturday, April 2nd at Honda Center. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm PST and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. The game will also be available to be streamed online via ESPN3 and Watch ESPN.
2016 LA KISS 2016LACTIVE ROSTER (4/1/16)
#
NAME
POS
HT
WT
COLLEGE
DOB
EXP
54
Afusia, Kody
OL/OC
6-2
310
Hawaii
8/11/92
1
92
Benthin, Gustave
NG
6-2
300
W. Oregon
2/10/91
1
74
Bond, Travis
OL
6-5
329
North Carolina
12/10/90
R
5
Collins, Brandon
WR
5-7
180
SE Louisiana
4/21/89
1
75
Dixon, Cornelius
OL
6-6
340
Missouri Valley
4/7/84
4
17
Fritz, Rodney
DL
6-1
270
Tennessee State
5/8/87
2
48
Heidari, Andre
K
5-11
185
USC
7/12/93
1
11
Jackson, Amarri
WR
6-4
225
South Florida
5/18/85
5
7
Kizer, Rayshaun
DB
5-9
195
Walsh
2/3/85
6
31
Martinez, John
FB
6-2
325
USC
7/23/91
2
51
Merrell, Jamil
DL
6-4
265
Rutgers
5/9/90
R
1
Morgan, Donovan
WR
6-3
215
Pearl River
7/29/82
6
34
Nixon, Rory
FB
6-1
305
St Augustines
9/10/91
2
3
Obi, Fredrick
DB
6-1
190
San Diego
9/7/90
1
55
Pittman, Marcus
DL
6-4
290
Troy
5/10/86
5
98
Pole, Kalafitoni
NG
6-1
310
Washington St
2/28/92
R
10
Stanley, Nathan
QB
6-4
225
SE Louisiana
1/24/89
2
4
Stephens, DJ
WR
5-11
180
Ark Monticello
9/9/90
3
56
Summers, Derrick
DE
6-1
265
Toledo
6/19/88
5
8
Thomas, Clevan
DB
5-10
195
Florida State
4/6/79
10
71
Tevaga, Shannon
OL
6-2
330
UCLA
10/29/86
5
16
Thomas, Pete
QB
6-5
235
North Carolina St
10/11/91
R
64
Tupua, Sam
OL
6-2
340
Idaho
11/15/90
3
6
Victorian, Josh
DB
5-10
190
La Tech
7/10/88
1
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