Rampage add 2007 All-AFL first team defensive back Ahmad Hawkins in 2008 dispersal draft
Friday October 26, 2007
Grand Rapids Also Adds 2007 AFL All-Rookie WR Kenny Higgins, Two Others
GRAND RAPIDS – The Grand Rapids Rampage added one of the most electric defensive players in the Arena Football League by selecting Ahmad Hawkins (Hampton, Va.) with the third-overall pick in the 2008 AFL Dispersal Draft this afternoon. Hawkins was named to the 2007 All-AFL First Team last season after leading the league with 13 interceptions.
A former ArenaBowl champion with the Colorado Crush in 2005, Hawkins emerged as a top defensive back last season with the now-defunct Nashville Kats. His 13 interceptions were three more than the league’s next closest defender, and his 71.5 tackles ranked second on the team. Over his five-year (2003-2007) AFL career, the University of Virginia product has logged 29 interceptions, 45 pass breakups and 320.5 tackles.
“We are really excited to have Hawkins on our team,” said Steve Thonn, Rampage head coach and director of football operations. “He’s been a high-caliber player for years in the league, and performed at his peak last season. He’s also one of the smarter defensive backs in this league and can help other players who we may bring in.”
The Rampage, who owned three first-round picks thanks to two trades made in 2005, also selected 2007 AFL All-Rookie wide receiver Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.), fullback Terrell Browden (Baton Rouge, La.) and defensive lineman Brenden Givan (Birmingham, Ala.).
Higgins, taken 16th overall, led Nashville in all major receiving categories last season including receptions (95) and receiving touchdowns (25). His 1,440 receiving yards led all AFL rookie wide receivers. The University of Toledo product joined the Kats last year after spending the 2006 season with the arenafootball2’s Memphis Explorers.
Browden, who Grand Rapids selected with the ninth-overall pick, played in Nashville’s final six games of the 2007 season, logging one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown from the fullback position. He also totaled 9.5 tackles and a fumble recovery as a linebacker. The University of Southern Mississippi product spent the 2006 season with the af2’s Alabama Steeldogs, where current Rampage defensive coordinator and director of player personnel Ron Selesky served as head coach.
Givan, selected with the third pick of the second round and 20th overall, played in eight games with the Kats in 2007, notching two sacks, three pass breakups and 14 tackles from the linebacker and defensive line positions. The Stillman College product ranks as his school’s all-time leading tackler (390 from 1999-2002) and captured a World Bowl title with the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europa in 2003.
“We’re extremely happy with how the draft unfolded,” said Thonn. “We got two offensive guys and two defensive guys, and each player was at a different position, so we’ve bolstered several areas of our team.”
The draft, conducted via conference call this afternoon, consisted of players formerly under contract with the Austin Wranglers and Nashville Kats franchises, which recently announced their departures from the league. All 17 current AFL teams will look to further improve their rosters during free agency, which will begin Monday (Oct. 29).
