Xplorers Pick Up Four Time All-OVC Linebacker
March 2, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
Southaven, MS-The Memphis Xplorers of the af2 have been assigned FB/LB Nick Ricks by the league office. Ricks (6'0, 240 lbs.), originally from Deerfield Beach in Florida, played collegiate football for the Panthers at Eastern Illinois University.
As a senior, Ricks accumulated 111 total tackles, including 10 for a loss. He added three sacks and two interceptions that season. During his junior season with the Panthers, Ricks compiled 149 total tackles, which is fifth all-time in EIU history for a single season. His 16 tackles for a loss is second all-time for EIU.
Ricks ranks second all time in Panthers history with 478 career tackles, 298 solo tackles and 43 career tackles for a loss. In 2002 Ricks tackled Eastern Kentucky 25 times, cementing one of the best defensive performance ever by a Panther.
Memphis Head Coach Danton Barto stated, "Getting a player with Nick Ricks' ability is always a great day for any team. We are anxious to see how he impacts the af2 this year."
Xplorers Director of Player Personnel Chris Bauer added his thoughts on the latest assignment to the Xplorers training camp roster. "Obviously when you look at a guy like (Nick) Ricks and see his collegiate stats, you get excited. This is a guy that we feel should have been given an opportunity to play at a higher level. After the NFL Europe failed to pick him up, we were thrilled to see that Nick used Memphis as his vehicle to the reach the NFL."
Ricks was a four-time member of the All-Ohio Valley Conference team, and in 2002 earned Defensive Player of the Year Honors.
The Xplorers were ten game winners in their 2004 playoff season. Memphis begins their 2005 campaign for the ArenaCup on April 3rd in Bossier-Shreveport Louisiana. The 2005 home opener is scheduled for 7:30pm on Friday April 15th at the DeSoto Civic Center. For group and season ticket information call 662-393-3761. Memphis Xplorers Arena Football! Back in Black!
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