Former Mules standout named to Arena Football League All-Rookie Team

Former Central Missouri State standout Kevin Nickerson, now a two-way player for the Austin Wranglers, was the only rookie wide receiver/defensive back named to the 2005 Arena Football League All-Rookie Team. Nickerson, who came to the AFL from the Canadian Football League, led the Wranglers in receiving yardage and scoring while contributing on special teams in his rookie campaign and steadily improved his defensive play throughout the year, making him a threat in all phases of the Arena Football game.

“Kevin had a fantastic rookie season,” said Wranglers Head Coach Skip Foster in a release posted to Austin's web site. “He played consistently from Game One all the way through Week 16. We felt like he was difference maker, especially on offense, and made plays against some of the best defensive players in this League week in and week out.”

Offensively, Nickerson accumulated 1,028 yards on 85 catches for a team-high 23 receiving touchdowns. Nickerson also scored a rushing touchdown and returned 12 kickoffs for 148 yards (12.3 yard average).

A newcomer to the cornerback position, Nickerson adjusted to the secondary quickly, posting the second-most tackles on the team with 39.5 total stops, 37 solo, three passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.

“Playing both ways, particularly defense, was the biggest challenge for me this season,” said Nickerson. “I’ve been an offensive guy all my life. Arena Football is a fun game and I had a good group of guys around me which made it an easy transition. This game is more suited for guys of my stature and it suits me and the type of player I am. You have to be aggressive and a tough guy.”

Nickerson was a four-time All-MIAA and two-time All-Region pick for the Mules as a wide receiver and kick return specialist from 1998-2001.