Wild Re-Sign Three Biggest Playmakers for 2011
December 14, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
The cornerstones of the Wichita Wild over the last two seasons have all agreed to return for another run at an Indoor Football League (IFL) title in 2011. Wide receiver Clinton Solomon, running back Darius Fudge, and defensive back/kick returner Randy Kelly will all return for the upcoming campaign. The three have combined for 6,753 all-purpose yards and 121 touchdowns over the past two seasons and have led the Wild to back-to-back appearances in the conference championship game.
Solomon has been named to the All-IFL First team in both seasons with the Wild. In 2010, Solomon finished third in the IFL in receptions with 81 and was second in receiving touchdowns with 29. Solomon also finished second in receiving yards with 988. Solomon finished fourth in the IFL in receiving yards with 1,008 and fourth in the league in receiving TD's with 22 in the 2009 regular season. He holds the Wild's single season and career records in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
Solomon spent the entire 2008 season on the practice squad of the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. The Ft. Worth, TX native spent the spring and summer of 2007 with the Tennessee Titans before being released as training camp began. Solomon then signed with the Chicago Bears and was let go prior to the season beginning. Solomon signed as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams in 2006 and was released in the final cut down before the season.
Solomon played at the University of Iowa during the 2002, 2004, and 2005 seasons. He finished his career ranked 4th in Iowa history in touchdown receptions and 7th in career receiving yards. Following his junior season in 2004, Solomon was named to the All-Big 10 Second Team after catching 58 passes for 905 yards and 6 TD's.
Fudge tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns in 2010 with 26 and finished third in rushing yards with 647. Fudge was named to the All-IFL team in both 2009 and 2010. The IFL's Rookie of the Year in 2009 compiled numbers that are rarely seen in the indoor game. Fudge led the IFL in rushing yards with 936 and rushing touchdowns with 31. Fudge won the league rushing title by over 120 yards. He was only the sixth player in the history of indoor football to rush for over 900 yards and 30 TD's in the same season.
Fudge finished his playing career at Western Carolina in 2006. During that season he was named team MVP and to the All-Southern Conference team. Fudge led the team in rushing with 1,046 yards on 229 carries during the campaign and also scored four touchdowns. As a junior, Fudge gained a team leading 722 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns. He was named to the All-Southern Conference team for his performance.
In 2004, Fudge played in all 11 games for the Catamounts and gained 473 yards on 81 carries. Fudge played a key role in Western Carolina's upset of top ranked Appalachian State, when he rushed for 134 yards on just nine carries. The Riverdale, GA native played in 10 games as a freshman in 2003. Most of his playing time was on special teams.
Kelly has been the league's most explosive kick returner for the past two seasons averaging 18.7 yards per return since he joined the Wild for the 2009 season. Kelly was named the IFL's Special Teams Player of the Year for his efforts in 2010 as he finished second in the league with 1,379 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns. Kelly is also a force on the defensive side of the ball. He was third on the team in 2010 with 69.5 tackles and also recorded four interceptions.
Kelly averaged 21.2 yards per kick return which was tied for the league lead in 2009. Kelly led the Wild and finished tied for 5th in the league in interceptions with 7. He finished 5th in the league and set a Wild single season record in all-purpose yards with 1,450. Kelly also led the Wild in tackles with 72.5, which tied him for 3rd in the IFL.
This will be Kelly's third season of indoor football after spending part of the 2008 season with the Arkansas Twisters of Arena Football2. Kelly was in training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007.
Kelly's final season at the University of Arkansas was in 2006 when his season was cut short due to injury. Kelly played in six games and tallied 36 tackles. He was named to the pre-season All-SEC second team prior to his senior campaign.
Kelly finished the 2005 season ranked 7th on the team in tackles with 58. Kelly's first season for the Razorbacks was in 2004. The Palmetto, FL native played in all 11 games and started the final three games of the season at free safety.
Kelly spent his first two years of college at Coffeyville Community College. Kelly redshirted his first season in 2002. In 2003, Randy finished third in the Jayhawk Conference in tackles with 107 in 10 games. He recorded five tackles for loss and was named the Red Ravens Defensive MVP for the season.
Download the FREE Wichita Wild App. for I-Phones and Droids. Just go to your App. Store or Market and search "Wichita Wild". Become a fan of the Wild on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/wichitawild and clicking "Like" at the top of the page. The 2011 home opener is slated for Saturday, March 12 vs. Green Bay. Season tickets start at just $80 and include FREE parking. Call the Wild office at 316-440-5044 for more information.
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