Two Defensive Starters Return to Philadelphia
November 14, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (November 14, 2012) - The American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul and the Arena Football League announce that defensive backs, Rayshaun Kizer (5'10, 190, Walsh) and LaRico Stevenson (5'11, 205, West Georgia) will return to the team in 2013. Both players have been secured with two-year contracts that will keep them in Philadelphia through the 2014 season.
"The defensive secondary is an important part of any successful team," said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "Any time you can get starters to return from a successful defense, you have to be happy. Rayshaun is like the quarterback of the defense, while LaRico is very athletic and physical. Both guys have a knack for making big plays and making quarterbacks pay for their mistakes."
Kizer, who is a two-time All-Arena performer, finished 2012 leading the League in passes defended (41) and pass breakups (30), while recording 81.0 total tackles, 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, he had two impressive seasons with the Orlando Predators (2010-11) receiving First Team All-Arena honors in both seasons. In two seasons with the Predators, Kizer played in 32 games, had 28 interceptions, 385 interception return yards, four touchdowns, and 37 pass break-ups.
Kizer was also a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2011) and Montreal Alouettes (2008) of the Canadian Football League, and was a member of the New York Jets (2007) as an undrafted free agent playing in three of four preseason games for the team.
Stevenson, who played just six regular-season games for the Soul, recorded 20.0 total tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He also played in six games for the Pittsburgh Power at the beginning of the 2012 season where he had 33.0 total tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Stevenson, a three-year veteran, began his AFL career with the Tulsa Talons in 2010 and has 161.0 total tackles and seven interceptions for his career.
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