All-AFL WR Jesse Schmidt Returning to Barnstormers
Thursday April 11, 2013
Record Breaking Receiver Re-Joins Iowa for Fourth Season
DES MOINES - Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Mike Hohensee dropped a bombshell on the Arena Football League late this afternoon, announcing that the team has reached agreement with All-AFL Wide Receiver Jesse Schmidt for three more seasons. The 2013 season will be his fourth season as a member of the Barnstormers. The Laurens, IA native and Buena Vista alumni has been voted the Barnstormers’ offensive MVP following each of the last three seasons.
Schmidt (6-3, 225) is coming off his best season ever in 2012, where he recorded 172 receptions for 2,218 yards and 58 touchdowns, all single season AFL records. He began his Arena Football career with the Quad City Steamwheelers (af2) in 2007. Although he appeared in just 3 games, he was able to find the end zone 3 times, making an impression with the coaching staff. He returned to the Steamwheelers in 2008, recording 131 receptions for a league-leading 1799 yards and 47 touchdowns. His efforts were rewarded by being named to the af2’s all-conference first team. The 2009 season was Schmidt’s best in af2, as he finished with a remarkable 172 catches for 2,390 yards and 58 touchdowns. He was rewarded by being named to the all-af2 first team and was named offensive player of the week five times.
In 2010, Schmidt joined the Barnstormers for his first year in the AFL, where he continued to thrive. In 16 games he recorded 116 receptions for 1,621 yards and 28 touchdowns. However nobody would have predicted his breakout season of 2011, where he compiled 168 receptions for 2171 yards and 55 touchdowns, all Barnstormers records. His 55 touchdown catches, were also best in the AFL and he was subsequently named to the All-Arena First Team.
Schmidt will be in uniform this Saturday night when then Barnstormers host the Philadelphia Soul at Wells Fargo Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05pm due to the game being nationally televised on the CBS Sports Network. Great seats remain on sale now for as low as $12.00 per ticket. Grab your friends or family and get to the game! To order your tickets, head down to the Arena Box office, call the Barnstormers at 515-633-2255 or log onto www.theiowabarnstormrers.com