“Gabe is one of the best defensive linemen in the AFL,” said Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet. “Pairing him with Tim McGill will give us a tremendous combination on the defensive line and we are looking forward to seeing it on the field in 2012.”

 

Nyenhuis (6-3, 265, Colorado) played in 10 games for San Jose, totaling 14.0 tackles, 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception returned for a touchdown, two passes defensed and one blocked kick despite being limited with an injury early in the season.

 

The 2012 season will mark his fifth in the AFL and second with the SaberCats. For his career, he has totaled 86.5 tackles, 32 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and nine passes defensed in 58 games. In 2010, Nyenhuis led the league in sacks (15.5) and forced fumbles (9) en route to earning the AFL’s highest defensive honor for the Tulsa Talons. He was also named first-team All-Arena.

 

A two-time All-Arena selection at defensive lineman, Nyenhuis spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Soul (2007-08), helping them to an ArenaBowl championship in 2008 against the SaberCats. During their championship run, Nyenhuis led the team in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12.5) and forced fumbles (5). He also led the team with two sacks while forcing a fumble during the 2008 postseason.

 

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2004, he has served stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2004), Indianapolis Colts (2006) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2009) of the Canadian Football League.

 

Prior to his professional career, he spent four years at the University of Colorado after transferring from Northwestern. In 25 games for the Buffaloes, he recorded 85 tackles (63 solo) with eight sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed.

 

A native of St. Charles, IL, he attended St. Charles High School where he was named a SuperPrep All-American, Chicago Sun-Times first-team all-area and all-state and Chicago Tribune first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior. In his final year at St. Charles, Nyenhuis recorded 76 tackles, 31 for loss, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed his senior season.

 

The SaberCats roster now stands at 27 players with eight returning from 2011.

 

 

The ArenaBowl XVI, XVIII and XXI champion San Jose SaberCats enter their 16^th season in the AFL after making their return in 2011. They open their 2012 schedule against longtime division rival and defending National Conference champion, the Arizona Rattlers on March 10. Fans and sponsors can go to www.thesanjosesabercats.com or call 408-673-3400 to sign up to receive the latest news and updates about the SaberCats, as well as to purchase 2012 season tickets. Make sure to follow the SaberCats on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news on the team.