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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Former Saint Joins The Rattlers

December 13, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - The Rattlers have signed former New Orleans Saint, Keyou Craver, head coach Gene Nudo announced today.

Craver (5'11", 185) will join the team as a Defensive Specialist after spending time in the NFL and the CFL.

"He's a great find for us," said Nudo. "He is a proven professional player having played in the NFL and the CFL. We feel that he will have an immediate impact on our secondary. He is excited about being here and we are excited to have him."

Craver was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft (125th overall) by the New Orleans Saints. Craver spent three seasons with the Saints where he started 22 total games. He recorded 22 tackles and three assists while with the team. A highlight of Craver's time with the Saints came in 2002 when he scooped up a fumble and raced in for an touchdown against the Packers.

Craver had a standout career at the University of Nebraska prior to being drafted by the Saints. As team captain during his senior season with the Huskers, Craver was chosen as a First-Team All-American, a Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Award Finalist (presented by the Maui Quarterback Club and the Hula Bowl Hawaii honor college football's best special teams players), a Football News Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist and a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist (presented to the best defensive back in the nation). He was also named First-Team All-Big 12 during his junior and senior years and Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 during his freshman and sophomore years.

During his Husker career Craver played in every game making 38 consecutive starts including bowl games. Craver was one of Nebraska's top tacklers, ranking among team leaders in tackles in each of his final three seasons, including a career-best 60 tackles in 2001. Craver ended his college career raked second only to fellow All-American Ralph Brown with 41 pass breakups in the Nebraska record books. He racked up 192 total tackles which ranks highest among Husker cornerbacks, and fourth all-time among Nebraska defensive backs.

Craver's collegiate accomplishments also include 10 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, and three career touchdowns (one interception and two blocked punts). He blocked four kicks in his career, scoring a pair of touchdowns on blocked kicks in 2000 and 2001. During his senior year, Craver's abilities extended beyond defense. He returned 21 punts for 246 yards (11.7 avg.) to rank 25th nationally.

While at Nebraska, Craver was also a three year letter-winner on the school track and field team. He helped lead his team to back-to-back indoor league titles in 2000 and 2001 as a triple jumper. Craver became the first Husker male athlete in 20 years to earn seven letters during his college career.

Craver, a native of Harleton, Texas, attended Harleton High School where he was a first-team all-state running back in 1997, totaling 3,024 yards on 271 carries (11.2 ypc) with 50 rushing touchdowns. He had 10 200-yard rushing efforts and five 300-yard outings (career-high 340). He finished his prep career second on the all-time single-season rushing and scoring charts.

The Rattlers will kick off their 16th season on Saturday March 3 at the US Airways Center. The AFL season will run from March through July. Rattlers season tickets can be purchased by calling 602-514-8383.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 13, 2006


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