Rayshaun Kizer
Tucson Sugar Skulls
Position:Defensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1985-02-03) February 3, 1985 (age 39)
Euclid, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Euclid (OH)
College:Walsh
Undrafted:2007
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Career CFL statistics
Tackles:30
Career Arena statistics
Tackles:518.0
Pass breakups:145
Forced fumbles:7
Interceptions:67
Total TDs:12
Head coaching record
Regular season:21–5 (.808)
Postseason:2–1 (.667)
Career:23–6 (.793)
Player stats at NFL.com · CFL.ca (archive) · ArenaFan.com

Rayshaun Kizer (born February 3, 1985) is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator of the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was the former head coach and defensive coordinator of the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and of the Omaha Beef of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). He is also a former National Football League, Canadian Football League, and Arena Football League defensive back. He played his college football at Walsh University and graduated with his bachelor's degree in Computer Science. He has been a member of the New York Jets of the National Football League, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, Orlando Predators, Philadelphia Soul, Arizona Rattlers, New Orleans VooDoo, Los Angeles KISS and Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League and Green Bay Blizzard of the Arena Football 2. He also served as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and special teams coach of the Bismarck Bucks of the IFL.

Early years and college career

Kizer attended Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio.

He played for the Walsh University Cavaliers from 2003 to 2006.[1] He recorded 14 interceptions for the Cavaliers, returning 5 for touchdowns. He was named First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference his senior year. He was also named Second team All-Conference as a junior and First team All-Conference as a sophomore. He was inducted into the school's Wall of Fame as part of the class of 2015.[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m) 		185 lb
(84 kg) 		4.51 s 1.56 s 2.62 s 4.07 s 6.73 s 35+1⁄2 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 15 reps
All values from Pro Day[3][4]

New York Jets

Kizer signed with the New York Jets on May 15, 2007, after going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft.[5] He was released by the Jets on August 27, 2007.[6]

Montreal Alouettes (first stint)

Kizer was signed by the Montreal Alouettes on September 11, 2007.[7][8] He was released by the Alouettes on October 7, 2008.

Green Bay Blizzard

Kizer played for the Green Bay Blizzard of the af2 during the 2009 season. He played in 17 games for the Blizzard, recording 65 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was awarded Defensive Player of the Week honors in the American Conference Finals Game after sealing the victory with a game-ending interception.

Orlando Predators

Kizer played for the Orlando Predators from 2010 to 2011. He led the Arena Football League in interceptions with 12 his rookie year in 2010, earning First Team All-Arena honors.[9][10][11] He set a new AFL record when he recorded 16 interceptions during the 2011 season.[12][13] Kizer was also named First Team All-Arena for the second consecutive year.

Montreal Alouettes (second stint)

Kizer was signed to the practice squad of the Alouettes on September 27, 2011.[14] He was released by the Alouettes on October 6, 2011.[15]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Kizer was signed to the practice squad of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on October 15, 2011.[15] He was released by the Tiger-Cats on November 2, 2011.[16]

Philadelphia Soul

[17] Kizer signed with the Philadelphia Soul on November 22, 2011.[18][19] He earned Second Team All-Arena honors after recording 82 tackles and 9 interceptions in 18 games with the Soul in 2013.[20] He was named Second Team All-Arena for the second consecutive year after collecting 101.5 tackles and 9 interceptions in 18 games in 2014.[21][22]

Arizona Rattlers

On January 7, 2015, Kizer was assigned to the Arizona Rattlers.[23]

New Orleans VooDoo

On March 23, 2015, Kizer, was traded to the New Orleans VooDoo in exchange for future considerations.[24]

Los Angeles KISS

On May 25, 2015, Kizer was traded to the Los Angeles KISS for future considerations.[25] He earned Second Team All-Arena honors for the third consecutive year after recording 87.5 tackles and five interceptions in 2015.[26] He became a free agent after the 2015 season. On November 6, 2015, Kizer was assigned to the KISS for the 2016 season. Kizer suffered a season ending ankle injury that kept him out for most of the 2016 season.[27]

Qingdao Clipper

Kizer was selected by the Qingdao Clipper in the fourth round of the 2016 CAFL Draft.[28]

Cleveland Gladiators

On January 9, 2017, Kizer was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators.[29]

Georgia Doom

In March 2018, Kizer was assigned to the Georgia Doom.[30]

Coaching career

Bismarck Bucks

In January 2019, Kizer was assigned to the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League (IFL) as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and special teams coach.[31]

Massachusetts Pirates

In March 2020, Kizer was assigned to the Massachusetts Pirates of the IFL as the defensive coordinator. Due to COVID in 2020 the Massachusetts Pirates season was cancelled.[32][33]

Following the next season in 2021, Kizer returned to the Pirates as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. They won the 2021 United Bowl against the Arizona Rattlers.[34] Winners of 11 straight games that season and Kizer was the only assistant coach to receive votes for coach of the year. He also had the #1 Defense in the league that season holding opponents to 31.7 PPG.

In January 2022, Kizer was promoted to head coach of the Pirates.[35] He had a successful first season as a head coach with an 11–5 record but lost the first round of the playoffs at home against the Quad City Steamwheelers.[36]

Omaha Beef

In January 2022, Kizer was assigned to the Omaha Beef of the Champions Indoor Football as the head coach. In his first season as the Beef head coach, he was the first head coach in CIF history to ever have an undefeated season. They also won the 2023 CIF Championship against the Salina Liberty 50-30.

Also as the defensive coordinator of this team, Kizer had the best defense in CIF history holding teams to a record-setting 20.8 PPG and only 142.8 YPG for the entire season.

Despite this Kizer would not return to the Beef for their 2024 season, as he resigned as head coach on December 18, 2023 and was replaced by Mike Tatum.[37]

Tucson Sugar Skulls

In December 2023, Kizer was assigned to the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the IFL as the defensive coordinator.

Head coaching record

League Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
IFL Massachusetts Pirates 2022 11 5 .688 2nd in East 0 1 .000 Lost Quarterfinals (Quad City) 38–39
IFL total 11 5 .688 0 1 .000
CIF Omaha Beef 2023 10 0 1.000 1st in CIF 2 0 1.000 Won Semifinal (Billings) 42–6
Won Champions Bowl VIII (Salina) 50-30
CIF total 10 0 1.000 2 0 1.000
Career total 21 5 .808 2 1 .667

References

  1. ^ "Former Walsh DB, Rayshaun Kizer, Named AFL Playmaker of the Game". walsh.edu. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Walsh Celebrates 2015 Wall of Fame Inductees". walsh.edu. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  3. ^ "Rayshaun Kizer". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "Kizer Pro Day Training". youtube.com.
  5. ^ "Kizer signs with the New York Jets". newyorkjets.com.
  6. ^ "Rayshaun Kizer". kffl.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "Alouettes Add Four". oursportscentral.com. September 11, 2007. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Kizer 2009 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  9. ^ "Kizer 2010 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  10. ^ "Rayshaun Kizer and T.T. Toliver return for 2011". oursportscentral.com. September 29, 2010. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Rayshaun Kizer". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Former Cavalier DB Rayshaun Kizer Sets New AFL Interceptions Mark". walsh.edu. July 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "Kizer 2011 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  14. ^ "Transactions - September 2011". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Transactions - October 2011". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Transactions - November 2011". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  17. ^ "Soul Add Record-Setting DB Rayshaun Kizer". arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "Kizer 2012 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  20. ^ "Kizer 2013 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  21. ^ "Rayshaun Kizer". arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  22. ^ "Kizer 2014 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  23. ^ Johnson, Vaughn. "Rayshaun Kizer leaves Soul to join Arizona Rattlers". philly.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  24. ^ "New Orleans VooDoo acquire All-Arena DB Kizer". boxscorenews.com. March 24, 2015. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ^ Carter, Anthony. "Voodoo Trades Rayshaun Kizer To LA Kiss". arenainsider.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ^ "Kizer 2015 Highlight Tape". youtube.com.
  27. ^ "Team Transactions". arenafan.com. November 6, 2015. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  28. ^ "CAFL DRAFT RESULTS – SEE IT AGAIN – FULL RESULTS HERE". caflfootball.com. June 11, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-17. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  29. ^ "Five-Time All-Arena DB Rayshaun Kizer Joins Gladiators". clevelandgladiators.com. January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-01-10. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  30. ^ "Georgia Doom Players Speak Out". wgxa.tv/sports. 11 June 2018.
  31. ^ "Bismarck Coming off Bye Week". kfyrtv.com. 17 May 2019.
  32. ^ "Pirates Season Cancelled for 2020". thisweekinworcester.com. 13 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Kizer Off Season Interview". youtube.com.
  34. ^ "2021 United Bowl Championship Game". youtube.com.
  35. ^ "Pirates Name Kizer Head Coach for 2022". Massachusetts Pirates. January 29, 2022.
  36. ^ "2022 First Round Playoff Game". youtube.com.
  37. ^ "Beef Parts Ways with Kizer". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.

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