IFL Indoor Football League

IFL Names 2021 Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year

September 8, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release


A pair of former Texas Tech Red Raiders were named the Indoor Football League's Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2021 season.

Frisco Fighters' running back Demarcus Felton was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and Iowa Barnstormers' linebacker Tony Jones received Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Both played collegiately at Texas Tech where they were teammates during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Felton proved to be a workhorse for the Fighters' offense. Felton started all 13 regular-season games for the Fighters, along with the team's two playoff contests. He ranked second in the IFL in rushing among running backs, finishing the regular season with 507 yards (4th overall) for an average of 39.0 yards per game (5th) and 20 rushing touchdowns (3rd).

"He was definitely the MVP of our offense," said Fighters head coach Clint Dolezel of Felton. "He was the glue that kept us together. If we hadn't had our running attack, it might have been a more difficult season for us. But him being steady, he didn't miss a snap all year long. He's not the biggest of guys, but he's tough and durable.

Felton's 134 rushing attempts led all running backs and were the second-most in the IFL during the regular season. In addition to his Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Felton also received Second-Team All-IFL and All-Rookie Team honors while helping the Fighters to their first playoff berth in the organization's inaugural season and their first victory in the postseason.

"He was probably our smartest player on the team. He knew the playbook front and backwards within the first three or four days-obviously being a great athlete contributes to being smart as well. He deserves everything he got. We did have a great offensive line in front of him, and he took advantage of that fully. He's just a great player, I wish I had 30 just like him on my team."

Jones starred as a linebacker at Texas Tech and translated that play to the smaller indoor football field. He proved to be the league's top linebacker in 2021, earning First-Team All-IFL accolades in addition to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year and earning a spot on the 2021 All-Rookie Team.

Jones ended the season with 79 total tackles, good for fourth in the league with an average of 7.2 tackles per game. He was menace in the offensive backfield, recording nine tackles for loss, a total that was eighth-best in the league.

"Tony was named team captain at the end of training camp," Barnstormers head coach Les Moss said. "He is an amazing athlete and really had a fine season for us. I think he is well deserving of the IFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He did a great job for us, all the way around, and was a good leader on our football team.

"He was the glue on the defensive side of the ball and he brought a lot of energy to the team," Moss continued. "He was a great leader and vocal leader for us."

While leading his Iowa Barnstormers team to its fourth straight IFL playoff berth, Jones also corralled 3.5 sacks as well as a pair of fumble recoveries along with a forced fumble. Jones' play helped land the Barnstormers in the quarterfinals of the postseason.  



Indoor Football League Stories from September 8, 2021


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