Acura Skyline

Acura Skyline

A young Acura Skyline showed athletic prowess from a young age
No. 17 – Undrafted
Position:	Runningback
Personal information
Born:	(1999-02-15)February 15, 1999 (aged 62) Santa Clara, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Santa Clara High School
College:	University of California, Los Angeles
ISFL Undrafted:	2037
Career history
Roster status:	Active

Acura "The Lion King" Skyline (born February 15, 1999) is an American football runningback for the Undrafted of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL).

Early years

Acura Skyline was born in Santa Clara, California, to two college professors. Despite his parents' desires that he commit fully to academics, Skyline showed a natural athletic skill from a very young age, especially in the one sport his parents were most staunchly against: Football. Skyline had a natural quickness and tremendous foot speed, resulting in early attention from college recruiters initially due to his performances in the 100 Meter Dash at the Junior Olympics. Ultimately, despite playing varsity all four years and taking Santa Clara High all the way to two CIF championship games, Skyline was unable to carry his team to a ring due to a lack of defensive talent on the roster. In his two CIF championship games, Skyline put up monster stat lines of 32/225/3 and 29/233/4. Fortunately, the disappointing losses were not the end of football for Skyline, and in his senior year he committed to joining the UCLA Bruins.

College career

Skyline began his college career backing up the senior starter on UCLA's team, but quickly experienced an "I've arrived" moment when he rushed for 100 yards on 7 carries in his first game for the Bruins. Skyline took over as starter in his second game, and continued impressing all throughout his true rookie season by rushing for over 1000 yards. In his second year, Skyline continued to put up big numbers, but struggled with bone spurs in his left foot after only 4 games and spent the rest of the season recovering and rehabbing. Skyline has said in interviews that the hardest thing about rehab for him was not being able to help his team on the field, but he developed major leadership skills in the locker room and often served as a player coach, flashing a developed football IQ beyond just the blistering speed and agility that scouts had seen up to this point. In his third and final year, Skyline looked stronger than ever racking up 963 yards across his first six games, but unfortunately the season ended in disappointment. Skyline had his NCAA eligibility revoked when it was discovered that he was accepting money for autographs. Skyline decided not to even appeal his status revocation in an unprecedented move, and instead spent the rest of the school year campaigning for athletes to be able to earn money off of their own likenesses while playing in college and preparing for the DSFL draft. In September of 2019 California Governer Gavin Newsom passed the Fair Pay to Play Act, allowing athletes to profit off of their likenesses and rebuking the NCAA. Skyline is often credited as one of the activist athletes who brought attention to the issue.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)

Acura Skyline began his career in Season 21 with the London Royals. It was the Royals' first season as a franchise, and Skyline was excited at the prospect of making history with the first European DSFL team. However, despite a stellar individual season, the Royals generally had a season that could be expected from a brand new franchise, finishing tied for last place with a 5-9 record. Skyline however thrived in the situation and took it upon himself to put the team on his back and make an attempt at making the playoffs, but the goal was ultimately not achieved. Skyline made a real case for DSFL MVP by leading the league in both rushing yards and kick return yards, notching 1761 yards on tremendous 5yds/carry efficiency. In addition to showing his ability as a week in, week out, workhorse running back, Skyline also flashed an ability to make big plays in clutch moments. In Week 6 against the Minnesota Grey Ducks, Skyline found his team in overtime against a top tier defense and little hope of making it out alive. To everyone's surprise, Colby Jack handed off the ball in a key moment and Skyline took the ball 74 yards to the house in a walk off TD victory. Later, in Week 13 once again against division rivals the Minnesota Grey Ducks, the Royals found themselves in a must win game in their attempt to desperately secure a quickly evaporating playoff dream. Skyline rose to the occasion, strapped up, and took the ball 87 yards to the promised land in order to make a statement, leading to a Royals victory. However, despite the heroics, the Royals unfortunately missed out on a playoff berth, leaving Skyline angry and motivated to get inconceivably better over the offseason. To Skyline, individual accolades mean nothing without team success. Skyline did end up getting selected to the DSFL pro bowl and winning Offensive Player of the Year, Running Back of the Year, and Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Acura Skyline ended up getting drafted much later than expected, falling all the way to pick 11 in the 4th round, taken 47th overall by the Yellowknife Wraiths. Yellowknife was at that point a very successful team, making deep playoff runs behind star talent on both ends of the ball. It was clear that Skyline would slot in as RB2 behind perennial pro bowler Mathias Hanyadi, but that suited Skyline fine because he was just excited to be a part of a winning culture. While the season started slowly, Skyline picked up speed and ended up notching a stellar first campaign with an 11-2 Yellowknife squad. Skyline had 212 rushing attempts with 911 total yards (A strong 4.3 yards per carry) that resulted in a league leading 9 rushing touchdowns. Skyline also helped his team through the air with 34 catches for 358 yards (A hyper efficient 10.5 yards per catch) and a single touchdown. In Week 12 Skyline put up a monster 24 rushes for 134 yards and 4 touchdowns to go with 3 catches for 20 yards, and then in Week 13 Skyline had a superstar closing game with 203 yards from scrimmage by rushing 26 times for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns and going through the air for another 6 catches for 98 yards and a TD. Skyline was looking great going into the postseason, where the Wraiths secured the first week bye and faced off against the Yeti at home. Unfortunately Skyline barely showed up with only 11 rushes for a paltry 26 yards 4 catches for 32 yards. The Wraiths lost by one, leaving Skyline frustrated and angry. His rookie season did get noticed around the league though, resulting in Skyline's first pro-bowl appearance and winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

In his second year in the league, Acura Skyline was on a mission. He knew that his team was embarrassingly bounced in the playoffs, and his immense personal success did not offset that deep frustration of losing it all. Skyline went to his coaches and told them not to worry about him, and only worry about wins. As such, Skyline took a step back in the offense to be used more as a special weapon than a regular bell cow. And it paid off. In the newly expanded 16 game season, the Wraiths went 10 and 6, behind only Orange County for the overall record, and winning the NSFC. Skyline himself was relatively quiet in the regular season, but had a number of big moments in big games. Skyline tallied up rushing statistics of 202 carries for 810 yards, averaging a strong 4 yards per carry, and was able to run it into the endzone 7 times. Skyline also did damage in the receiving game, upping his catch total from the previous season by grabbing 56 balls in the air, for a total of 468 yards. Hanyadi took on the majority of the work, specifically to keep Skyline fresh and ready to go when the playoffs came around. In the first round after the bye week, the Wraiths faced their rival Colorado Yeti, and Skyline went off for 71 yards on 20 carries, leading the team to a 3 point victory. In the championship game that followed, the Wraiths limited Skyline's time on the field to only 11 carries, but Skyline punched in 3 touchdowns, determined to grab victory and seal his destiny. Ultimately, the Wraiths took the Ultimus in a 38-13 dominant win over Austin. Skyline was overlooked for the season awards, which was expected due to his reduced role, but nothing felt better with a chip. Going into Season 24, Skyline's third year in the league, the Wraiths are adding a new QB to replace retiring franchise veteran Cooter Bigsby, and there is a lot of hope about what the scrappy young team can achieve.

In Year 3, Acura Skyline persevered despite the Wraiths missing the playoffs with a disappointing 6-10 record. With the top tier backfield of Skyline and Hanyadi, many expected a run heavy offense that would trample defenses into the dirt, but the coach had a different plan in mind letting rookie QB Colby Jack, who had just taken the reins from legend and surefire Hall of Famer Cooter Bigsby, take control and throw more than maybe was good for team success. The team, though surprised, ultimately supported this tactic, as Jack's development would be critical to future success. Hanyadi was his regular running back of the year quality ball carrier, which made Skyline's dominant statistical performance even more impressing. Skyline rushed 218 times for 910 yards, placing him firmly in the top 10 rushers, and notching a blistering 4.2 yards per carry on average. He also notched ten touchdowns on the ground, tied for third best in the league. Skyline also had success in the air, showing flashes of a budding chemistry with Colby Jack, hauling in 27 catches for 237 yards. At the end of the day, Skyline managed to rush his way back into the probowl, enjoying the accolade for the second time in his short career. Now, the question is, can Skyline's individual success translate into team success next season? Many think that it will depend more on Jack's play than Skyline's, but Skyline is determined to put his head down and lead the team to success. Skyline plans to spend his offseason "sharpening his cleats and eating nails", and nobody knows if he is being literal or if that is a metaphor.

Professional career statistics

			Rushing						Receiving				Kick Returns			Offensive Line
Season	Team	GP	Att	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	Long	TD	Rec	Yds	Long	TD	Yds	Avg	KR TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2036 (S21)	Royals	14	349	1761	5.0	125.8	87	10	10	79	16	0	761	20.0	0
2037 (S22)	Wraiths	13	212	911	4.3	70.1	19	9	34	358	40	1	0	0	0	14	5
2038 (S23)	Wraiths	16	202	810	4	50.6	15	7	56	468	37	0	35	35	0	31	0
2039 (S24)	Wraiths	16	218	910	4.2	56.9	13	10	27	237	47	0	69	23	0	15	1

Playoff statistics

			Rushing						Receiving				Kick Returns			Punt Returns
Season	Team	GP	Att	Yds	Avg	Yds/G	Long	TD	Rec	Yds	Long	TD	Yds	Avg	KR TD
2037 (S22)	Wraiths	1	11	36	3.3	36	8	0	4	32	15	0
2038 (S23)	Wraiths	2	31	90	2.9	11	45	3	5	31	11	0

Achievements and records

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