L.A. Avengers sign Rushen Jones and Paul Keizer
January 15, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Defensive back Rushen Jones and offensive linemen Paul Keizer have signed free agent contracts with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today. Keizer signed a one-year deal, while Jones inked a two-year contract.
Jones (6-0, 200) played in 11 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2003 and made 16 tackles after signing a free agent contract with the team following the 2003 NFL Draft. In 2004, he played in five regular-season games for Minnesota and had two tackles in a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jones was a four-year starter at cornerback while attending Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.). As a senior in 2002, he finished with 70 tackles and a team-high 10 pass deflections, and was named to the All-SEC second team by "The NFL Draft Report." In 1999, he earned Freshman All-American honors from "The Sporting News." Jones finished his Commodore career with 180 tackles, 25 pass deflections and three interceptions.
At Whitehaven High School (Memphis, Tenn.), Jones was selected as the Regional Player of the Year following his senior season on the gridiron. He also was a standout performer on the Tiger track & field team, finishing second in the state in the long jump. In addition, Jones was a member of Whitehaven's regional champion 400-meter relay team.
Keizer (6-4, 305), who spent last summer working out with the Buffalo Bills, was a four-year letterman at South Dakota State University (Brookings, S.D.). As a senior in 2005, he earned second-team All-Great West Football Conference honors as an offensive guard. With Keizer leading the way, the Jackrabbits averaged 227 rushing yards per game. In his previous three seasons at South Dakota State, he was a tight end. Keizer also was a second-team all-conference pick at that spot after his sophomore and junior seasons.
At Boyden-Hull High School (Hull, Iowa), Keizer also played along the defensive line and finished his senior season with 16 quarterback sacks and 62 total tackles.
The Avengers will kick off their eighth season of play in the 21-year-old Arena Football League versus the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday, March 4, at STAPLES Center. The contest, which features the past two Western Division champions (Los Angeles in 2005 and San Jose in 2006), will kick off at 7 p.m.
Avenger season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
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