The five players profiles in this article are: Gershom Jordan (OL), Collin Taylor (WR), Rodney Gnat (DL), Chris Gould (K) and Darius Reynolds (WR).

 

Position: DL
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 253 lbs
College Experience: Louisville

Gnat (6-3, 253) joined the Barnstormers last season as a rookie following 4 years at the University of Louisville. In 44 career games, he recorded 55 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Gnat had a breakout season as a senior in 2010, collecting 28 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He was named Big East player of the week following a 4.5 sack performance against Eastern Kentucky. A native of Jacksonville, Gnat was a three year starter and letter winner at Wolfson High School.

 

Last year with Iowa, Gnat appeared in 16 games, recording 17 tackles, including 7 for a loss and a team high 5 sacks. He was named a team captain by Barnstormers head coach Mike Hohensee immediately following training camp for his intensity on the field along with his outstanding leadership skills.

Position: K
Date of Birth: 12/10/1985
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 215 lbs
College Experience: Virginia

Gould is entering his fifth season as a member of the Arena Football League.

 

A 2008 graduate of the University of Virginia, Chris began his college career as a punter before adding the placekicking duties as a junior. He is the younger brother of Chicago Bears placekicker Robbie Gould.

 

Gould debuted in the AFL with the Chicago Rush where he hit 113-of-121 extra point kicks. He quickly vaulted to the top of the league in points scored with 146. His consistency earned him a tie for number two in the league and his kicking points per game got him the number one spot. In 2010, Gould set the Chicago Rush's single-season records for extra points made, scoring for a kicker, consecutive PATs converted and extra points attempted.

 

Gould was a member of the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV champion Arizona Rattlers. He connected on 9-of-10 field goal attempts and 124-of-138 PATs.

 

Gould was coached by Iowa Barnstormers head coach Mike Hohensee when both men were in Chicago.

 

Position: WR
Date of Birth: 02/28/1987
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 195 lbs
College Experience: Indiana

Taylor returns for the Iowa Barnstormers after a rookie season in 2012. In 14 games played, Taylor recorded 63 catches for 670 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2011, Taylor played with the Reading Express of the AIFA. With the Express, Taylor was one of the league's top wide receivers and led his team to the playoffs.

 

In college at Indiana, Taylor started at both wide receiver and defensive back.

 

Position: WR
Date of Birth: 04/04/1989
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 215 lbs
College Experience: Iowa State University

Reynolds was assigned to the Barnstormers on a 1 year contract on November 1, 2012. He played in two games with the Barnstormers at the end of the 2012 season, recording 3 receptions for 63 yards and his first career AFL touchdown.

 

Prior to that Reynolds attended the 2012 Green Bay Packers rookie camp following a career at Iowa State University. Reynolds started for two seasons with the Cyclones, developing into a top prospect. In 2011 as a senior, he led Iowa State with 43 receptions for 695 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native was invited to the Players All-Star Classic following his senior season, where he led the South team with 4 catches for 72 yards. Reynolds is reunited with former Cyclone DB Ter’Ran Benton, who was assigned to the Barnstormers on October 21.

 

Position: OL
Date of Birth: 01/23/1988
Height: 6' 6" Weight: 310 lbs
College Experience: Tennessee State

Biography:
Jordan joins the Barnstormers for his rookie season in 2013. In 2011, Jordan spent time in rookie camp with the New York Giants (NFL).

 

2009: Started 4-of-11 games played...Played defensive line recording 8 tackles (4 solo, 4 assists)...Forced one fumble...Moved back to the offensive line during the spring.

 

2008: Played in eight games...Registered one reception for 15 yards...Caught first career reception against UT Martin (10/04/08)...Two-sport athlete at TSU , named OVC Newcomer of the Week in basketball...Averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game...Shot a team high, 59 percent, from the floor...Moved to defensive line in the spring.

 

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-sport athlete, played basketball and football...Named to All-City and All-Region teams...Helped lead high school to District Championship in basketball.

 

Major: Health Education

 

Personal: son of Patricia Kluttz

Christina Rivers has been an active journalist for several years. She covers American football in both the NFL and AFL. Christina is a native-Iowan with a love of Pittsburgh sports. Christina is also a photographer. Her experience includes time with CBS Sports Local - Pittsburgh (KDKA), Examiner.com, and The Beam in Pittsburgh.