2016 PLAYER TRANSACTIONS | LA KISS Football

By: LA KISS,
December 30, 2020
in Uncategorized

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.”

Below is a complete list of all the players assigned to the LA KISS this off-season.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Colin Madison (6'4", 310 lbs, Offensive Line) joins the LA KISS after starting 15 games for the San Jose SaberCats in 2015. The fifth-year player was awarded with the 2014 "Second Team All-Arena" honor, after starting 17 games for the Pittsburgh Power.

Marcus Pittman (6'5", 290 lbs, Defensive Line) 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, 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.

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, 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.

Amarri Jackson (6’4”, 220 lbs, Wide Receiver) is bringing 5 years of AFL experience to the LA KISS. During his rookie season, in 2011, 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. From 2008 through 2010, Jackson was brought into NFL and CFL training camps.

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 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.

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 spent his collegiate career with University of Texas and Southeastern Louisiana University.

DJ Stephens (5'11", 180 lbs, Wide Receiver) is entering his 5th season in the AFL. He spent his first 3 seasons with the San Antonio Talons. Stephens was assigned to the San Jose SaberCats for the 2015 season. He appeared in 11 games, racking up 681 receiving yards on 44 receptions, while scoring 11 touchdowns.

Matt Armstrong (6'2", 305 lbs, Center) spent his 2015 rookie season with the San Jose SaberCats. He started 3 games for the SaberCats and saw action in 2 others. Before the AFL, Armstrong was invited to the New Orleans Saints training camp, and participated in all 4 pre-season games, where he acquired valuable NFL experience.

Fredrick Obi (6'1", 190 lbs, Defensive Back) will be joining the LA KISS for his second year in the AFL. He entered the league in 2015 and appeared in 7 games for the SaberCats. As a rookie, Obi racked up 48 total tackles (43 solo), 4 interceptions and 1 forced fumble, for San Jose.