Baltimore Mariners Bring TSU's Rutland on Board

Published on January 20, 2010 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Baltimore Mariners News Release


BALTIMORE, MD (January 20, 2010) - Nikkieda Rutland, an All-State prep star in Florida and an All-Central Region selection for the Tennessee State University Tigers, has signed with the Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) for the upcoming 2010 season. The Mariners kickoff the 2010 campaign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on March 6th and their home opener is slated for March 14th at 4:00 PM at 1st Mariner Arena.

"Nikkieda came to us towards the end of the 2009 season and we wanted to get him into camp this season to take a better look at him in different situations. He has the size and speed to be a good defensive back in this league," stated Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.

Named to Florida's Top 250 to Watch, as number 65, by Rivals.com heading into his senior season, Rutland proved the experts right. After an extraordinary senior season he was selected to the Florida Class 3A All-State First Team as a punishing defender for Bradenton Southeast High. He tallied 117 tackles, five interceptions, and three blocked kicks and was selected to play in the annual Georgia-Florida All-Star Game at the Georgia Dome. Rutland pulled in two interceptions in Florida's win.

Following a successful season at Garden City Community College in Kansas, the 5'10", 190 pound Rutland transferred to Tennessee State where he was immediately successful. As a sophomore he finished sixth on the team with 50 total tackles, including 33 solo stops, and continued to produce as a junior when he tallied 33 tackles in ten games. He also added three tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble.

In his senior season for the Tigers, he had his breakout year finishing second on the Tigers with 61 tackles and notched 1.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. For his efforts, along with fellow Tiger and current Arizona Cardinal, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Rutland was named to the First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference team. He was also named to the Football Gazette NCAA Division 1 FCS All-Central Region Team.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Indoor Football Association Stories from January 20, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central