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Iowa Rampage

Iowa Rampage Roster Unveiled

April 26, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1)
Iowa Rampage News Release


It's game week! The Arena Football League is back, and we've got some clarity on the rosters. We're going to take a look at the Iowa Rampage roster and break it down by position groups for this team playing at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The team will be led by head coach Tyus Jackson.

Quarterback

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Rakeen Cato QB 6'0 180 Marshall University

Billy Naples QB 6'0 22 Ottawa University

The Rampage have two quarterbacks on the roster, Rakeem Cato being one of them. The Florida Native started at quarterback for Marshall University and was just elected into the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class. Cato's list of accomplishments in college is long. He's 13th on NCAA's all-time passing yards list and fifth in career passing touchdowns. After Marshall, Cato has been in professional football since 2015, playing in the Canadian Football League, American Arena League, and National Arena League. Cato

Billy Maples is the other quarterback on the Rampage Roster. Maples grew up a few hours from Council Bluffs in Smithfield, Missouri. After brief stints at a few places including the University of Kansas, Maples found his home at Ottawa University. Where in 2022 he completed 104 of 205 passes for 1,166 yards and eight touchdown passes.

Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Kiate Northington DB 5'10 182 Eastern Kentucky University

Tyrun Lemon DB 6'1 183 Magnolia State

Isaiah McFarland DB 6'0 203 Kentucky State

Deron Harell DB 6'2 182 Wyoming

Ryan Martinez WR 6'0 195 Waldorf University

Max Novak WR 5'11 190 Linfield University

Offensive specialists for the Rampage include Ryan Martinez, who brings thrilling speed and skill to the Arena game. The 6-0 195 lbs wide receiver spent some time at Iowa Central Community College after growing up just down the road in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Max Novak is a name you'll need to remember as you watch this Rampage team. The 5-11 wide receiver has the "whatever it takes" mentality that's brought him this far. He's already been in the Arena game with the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks and Topeka Tropics. He's also familiar with head coach Tyus Jackson, which should help him get off to a hot start right away.

Larry Beavers checks in at 5-10 186 lbs. At 38 years old, Beavers knows how to play the game and is a veteran of it. He's spent time on the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints rosters and has been in Arena Football since 2011. Beavers won Arena Bowl XXX with the Philadelphia Soul in 2017.

On the defensive specialist side of the ball, the Rampage has four players, including Tyrun Lemon. Lemon is known for his incredible coverage ability and shutdown style of play. Lemon spent time with the Topeka Tropics last season.

Kiante Northington is another indoor football pro. Northington started his indoor career with the Massachusetts Pirates in 2018, where he made an immediate impact as a first-team All-National Arena League performer.

Isaiah McFarland spent the 2023 season with the Gillette Mustangs of the CIF, where he collected seven interceptions. He looks to play a key part in this Rampage defense.

Deron Harrell will wrap up the defensive specialists for the Rampage. Harrell comes to the Arena game from the Wyoming Cowboys, where he missed his senior season due to a torn hip labrum. Harrell has something to prove with this Iowa Rampage defense.

Wide Receiver/Fullback/Linebacker

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Ryan Martinez WR 6'0 195 Waldorf University

Max Novak WR 5'11 190 Linfield University

Larry Beavers WR 5'10 186 Wesley College

Kiate Northington DB 5'10 182 Eastern Kentucky University

Tyrun Lemon DB 6'1 183 Magnolia State

Isaiah McFarland DB 6'0 203 Kentucky State

Deron Harell DB 6'2 182 Wyoming

Chris Elmore is an impact player to watch this season. The former Syracuse Orangeman has big-time college football experience under his belt. Elmore started 21 games and appeared in 53 games for the ACC Power Five school.

Chris Elmore is an impact player to watch this season. The former Syracuse Orangeman has big-time college football experience under his belt. Elmore started 21 games and appeared in 53 games for the ACC Power Five school.

Desmond Maxwell made 1st Team All-NAL Offense in 2022, playing fullback for the Orlando Predators. The former Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end knows how to run crisp routes and make plays happen. Coaches said Cedric Thomas had one of the most explosive tryout workouts they'd seen and are excited to see Thomas on the field in 2024.

Javonte Matthews checks in at 5-7 215 lbs. His biggest impact will likely come from the fullback and linebacker positions. Jaylen Schleicher came to the Rampage from Winona State where he caught nine touchdowns for the Warriors playing tight end. At 6-foot-6 he makes for a big target.

Justice Henson comes over from the Northern Arizona Wranglers after spending time with the Omaha beef. He brings more indoor football experience to the team. Nasir Randall provides another large weapon at 6-6 212 lbs. The former Morgan State player should slide right into playing both sides of the ball.

Lineman

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Jaylon Abdul DE 6'4 230 Midwestern St.

Dominic Moore DE/OL 6'8 342 Eastern Illinois

Jakobi Smith DL 6'3 300 Florida Atlantic

Tomato Silva DL/OL/FB 6'4 350

Marquis Burks DT 6'3 310 Auburn

Cedric Thomas OL

Joseph Palmer OL/DL 6'4 320 Glenville State

Zechariah Thomas OL/DL 6'3 325 Pittsburg State

James Hines OL/TE 6'5 340 Southern Oregon

James Hines is listed as offensive lineman and the team's tight end. The tight end will play a valuable role in Arena Football League play in 2024, with the tight end being eligible on every play.

Dominic Moore, at 6-8 342 lbs, is the type of size guy you want anchoring your offensive line and plugging the gap on defense. Jakobi Smith comes from Florida Atlantic at 6-3 300 lbs.

Joseph Palmer has been around the indoor game for a while, playing recently for the Dakota Bucks. Jaylon Abdul comes over from the Sioux Falls Storm, bringing more indoor football experience.

Marquis Burks played at Iowa Central Community College before moving on to the SEC's Auburn Tigers. Having SEC experience should prove vital to Burks's role on the team. Tamatoa Silva, at 6-4 340lbs, recently placed for Central Divisional Rival The Southwest Kansas Storm. Zechariah Thomas from Pittsburgh State rounds out the line room.

Kickers

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Caleb Shudak K 5'7 170 University of Iowa

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