2012-07-18 / Sports
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TOP 25 PLAYERS OF 2012: NO. 21-25
Monday, July 16, 2012
CHICAGO – Throughout the 2012 season, the Arena Football League has been counting down a number of “Top 25” lists to celebrate the League’s Silver Anniversary. The lists have ranged from the “25 Greatest Uniforms in AFL History” to the “25 Greatest Players in AFL History”. The majority of these lists have been voted on by the Silver Anniversary Committee, group consisting of longtime AFL executives, media members and former players.
The League also wanted to include fans in select voting categories. Subscribers to AFL Field Pass, the official fan club of the Arena Football League, were tasked with deciding upon the Top 25 Players of the 2012 regular season. During Week 19 of the AFL season, the League Office collected ballots from members and tallied the votes. The results will be divided into five segments, beginning with numbers 21-25 and ending with the announcement of the Top 5 Players of 2012 on Friday night.
21. San Antonio Talons WR Jomo Wilson
Jomo Wilson may have changed cities in 2012 (Jacksonville to San Antonio), but what has not changed is Aaron Garcia’s ability to find him on the field. Wilson once again emerged as Garcia’s top target, leading the Talons with 1,165 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on the season. He ranks third in the AFL in yards per catch, averaging 15.1 yards per reception. Wilson has also developed into a threat in the return game, taking three kicks to the house in 2012. His opening kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 17 earned him Spalding Highlight of the Week honors.
22. Philadelphia Soul WR Donovan Morgan
When healthy, “Captain” Morgan has proven himself to be among the League’s finest receivers. Despite being limited to just 10 games due to injury, Morgan has managed to tally 73 receptions for 928 yards and 24 touchdowns. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week honors in Week 3 after hauling in 12 passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns in the “Keystone Collision”. Another four-touchdown performance in Week 14 enabled Morgan to be voted National Guard MVP of the Week.
23. Iowa Barnstormers QB J.J. Raterink
“America’s Quarterback” has passed for a single-season franchise record 4,520 yards in 2012. He is also seven passing scores shy of Aaron Garcia’s single-season franchise record of 92, while having thrown just nine interceptions on the year. Despite Iowa’s 6-11 record, Raterink has brought much needed leadership and stability at the quarterback position for a young Barnstormers team. Raterink ranks third in the League in pass efficiency (120.6) and was named the Week 13 Russell Offensive Player of the Week after completing 83.8 percent of his passes (31-for-37) for 371 yards and nine touchdowns against the Cleveland Gladiators.
24. San Antonio Talons DB Fred Shaw
The statistical leader of the San Antonio defense, Shaw has recorded a team-high 116 tackles and eight interceptions in 2012. Shaw set a single-game franchise record with 16 tackles against the Pittsburgh Power and has recorded two multiple interception games this season. He has also found the end zone three times and is a candidate for RevHoney Defensive Back of the Year.
25. Chicago Rush JLB Kelvin Morris
With five interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 10 total touchdowns in 2012, there is no denying that Kelvin Morris is among the game’s elite players. Chicago’s Jack backer has notched 38.5 tackles and a sack on defense this year and has tied the single-season AFL record for interceptions returned for touchdowns by tallying four in 2012. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week honors in Week 1 and is a candidate for Riddell Defensive Player of the Year.
CHICAGO – Throughout the 2012 season, the Arena Football League has been counting down a number of “Top 25” lists to celebrate the League’s Silver Anniversary. The lists have ranged from the “25 Greatest Uniforms in AFL History” to the “25 Greatest Players in AFL History”. The majority of these lists have been voted on by the Silver Anniversary Committee, group consisting of longtime AFL executives, media members and former players.
The League also wanted to include fans in select voting categories. Subscribers to AFL Field Pass, the official fan club of the Arena Football League, were tasked with deciding upon the Top 25 Players of the 2012 regular season. During Week 19 of the AFL season, the League Office collected ballots from members and tallied the votes. The results will be divided into five segments, beginning with numbers 21-25 and ending with the announcement of the Top 5 Players of 2012 on Friday night.
21. San Antonio Talons WR Jomo Wilson
Jomo Wilson may have changed cities in 2012 (Jacksonville to San Antonio), but what has not changed is Aaron Garcia’s ability to find him on the field. Wilson once again emerged as Garcia’s top target, leading the Talons with 1,165 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on the season. He ranks third in the AFL in yards per catch, averaging 15.1 yards per reception. Wilson has also developed into a threat in the return game, taking three kicks to the house in 2012. His opening kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 17 earned him Spalding Highlight of the Week honors.
22. Philadelphia Soul WR Donovan Morgan
When healthy, “Captain” Morgan has proven himself to be among the League’s finest receivers. Despite being limited to just 10 games due to injury, Morgan has managed to tally 73 receptions for 928 yards and 24 touchdowns. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week honors in Week 3 after hauling in 12 passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns in the “Keystone Collision”. Another four-touchdown performance in Week 14 enabled Morgan to be voted National Guard MVP of the Week.
23. Iowa Barnstormers QB J.J. Raterink
“America’s Quarterback” has passed for a single-season franchise record 4,520 yards in 2012. He is also seven passing scores shy of Aaron Garcia’s single-season franchise record of 92, while having thrown just nine interceptions on the year. Despite Iowa’s 6-11 record, Raterink has brought much needed leadership and stability at the quarterback position for a young Barnstormers team. Raterink ranks third in the League in pass efficiency (120.6) and was named the Week 13 Russell Offensive Player of the Week after completing 83.8 percent of his passes (31-for-37) for 371 yards and nine touchdowns against the Cleveland Gladiators.
24. San Antonio Talons DB Fred Shaw
The statistical leader of the San Antonio defense, Shaw has recorded a team-high 116 tackles and eight interceptions in 2012. Shaw set a single-game franchise record with 16 tackles against the Pittsburgh Power and has recorded two multiple interception games this season. He has also found the end zone three times and is a candidate for RevHoney Defensive Back of the Year.
25. Chicago Rush JLB Kelvin Morris
With five interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 10 total touchdowns in 2012, there is no denying that Kelvin Morris is among the game’s elite players. Chicago’s Jack backer has notched 38.5 tackles and a sack on defense this year and has tied the single-season AFL record for interceptions returned for touchdowns by tallying four in 2012. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week honors in Week 1 and is a candidate for Riddell Defensive Player of the Year.
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