All-Pro Jesse Schmidt Returning to Barnstormers
Iowa Barnstormers
Record Breaking Receiver to Re-Join Iowa for Third Season
DES MOINES – In another huge move, Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Mike Hohensee announced today that the Arena Football League team has reached agreement with wide receiver Jesse Schmidt for the 2012 season. Schmidt will return for a third season as a member of the Barnstormers, and sixth overall playing Arena Football. The Laurens, IA native and Buena Vista alumni was voted as the Barnstormers’ offensive MVP following both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Schmidt (6-3, 220) 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.
When asked to comment on his latest signing, Coach Hohensee said “Jesse is definitely worth the wait! Having the AFL’s top receiver from 2011 back is a nice boost for our team this close to training camp. I’m excited to re-unite Jesse with our Quarterback J.J. Raterink. Hopefully they will be able to bring the kind of success they enjoyed while teammates in the af2 a few years ago.’
With the addition of Schmidt, the Barnstormers have 31 players under contract for the 2012 season. Don’t forget that 2012 Iowa Barnstormers season tickets remain on sale for as low as $117.00 per seat! Enjoy all 9 home games from the same great seat beginning with the home opener on March 17. Don’t For more information, call 515-633-2255 or log onto www.theiowabarnstormers.com.
Jesse Schmidt’s Career Arena Football Receiving Statistics:
GP Rec. Yards TD.
2007 (QC – af2) 3 8 131 3
2008 (QC – af2) 16 131 1,799 47
2009 (QC – af2) 16 172 2,390 58
2010 (IOW – AFL) 16 116 1,621 28
2011 (IOW – AFL) 18 168 2,171 55
Career Totals: 69 595 8,112 191
