Jimi DeSoto
 | |
| No. 55 – Prospect | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 6, 2017 (aged 44) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Username: | Jimi64 |
| Career information | |
| College: | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Career history | |
| Roster status: | Active |
Jimi Cornelius DeSoto (born May 6, 2017) is an American football linebacker who played college football for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL). He was drafted by the Norfolk Seawolves of the DSFL for the 2039 season. At the conclusion of the season, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Liberty of the ISFL, where has been called up to play for the 2040 season.
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Early years
Jimi DeSoto was born to Richard and Julian DeSoto in New Orleans, Louisiana. DeSoto states that he was not interested in sports as a child and did not participate in any youth athletics. When attending a high school football game in 7th grade, he witnessed a team run out of the tunnel to the cheers and admiration of fans and immediately decided he wanted to pursue football. DeSoto attended Jesuit High School, where he initially played tight end. Due to team needs, he would start at linebacker his final two years. In his senior year, he recorded 118 tackles (91 solo), 9 sacks, and five interceptions. DeSoto was considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.
He also joined the school’s basketball team during his sophomore year, playing primarily power forward. He averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds his senior year, but he never considered pursuing basketball at a higher level.
College career
DeSoto accepted an offer of an athletic scholarship from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He stated that staying in state was important to him as he wanted to remain close to family.
DeSoto was expected to be a starter from his freshman year through his college career. However, he consistently struggled to transition his play to the college level. He struggled to read offenses and complete tackles. He was ultimately benched after only the fifth game of his freshman year. DeSoto failed to see the field for the rest of his freshman and sophomore year.
During his junior year, multiple injuries to linebackers on the team forced him into a starting position halfway through this season. This time DeSoto exceeded expectations and would continue to start for the remainder of the year. The Ragin’ Cajuns would salvage their season and earn a bowl berth but ultimately lose the AutoNation Cure Bowl 41-24 to Tulane.
At the onset of his senior year, head coach Billy Napier named DeSoto a defensive team captain, citing his determination and leadership as an inspiration to his fellow teammates. The Ragin’ Cajuns would ultimately achieve their best record in school history, finishing 11-3. They would also defeat Miami (OH) in the LendingTree Bowl, with DeSoto recording seven tackles, two sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown. DeSoto would be named to the All-Sun Belt first team.
DeSoto declared for the DSFL draft on March 13th, 2039.
College career statistics
| Career statistics | Defense | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Tck | TFL | FF/FR | Sck | Int | PD | Sfty | TD | Blk P/XP/FG |
| 2035 | ULL | 5 | 19 | 4 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
| 2036 | ULL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
| 2037 | ULL | 7 | 40 | 9 | 0/1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
| 2038 | ULL | 14 | 93 | 15 | 1/1 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
DSFL Career
DeSoto was drafted in the 2039 DSFL draft with the last pick of the third round, 24th overall, by the Norfolk Seawolves. DeSoto stated he was overjoyed by the selection, as Norfolk had been his preferred destination in the DSFL. He was made an immediate starter, playing alongside fellow rookie linebacker Rusty Rucker. DeSoto and Rucker proved to be an effective duo, combining for 169 total tackles. The young rookies on defense, containing other standouts such as Xmus Flaxon Jaxon-Waxon and Sam Roes, inexplicably dubbed themselves the “Mean Bean Machines,” with rookie offensive lineman Ananda Adyan being named an honorary mean bean. The defending Ultimini champions’ season began successfully, with five straight wins. However, DeSoto was not immediately an effective player, recording only two tackles in his first game. However, similarly to his college career, he continued to improve with every game. In the fourth game of the year against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers, DeSoto had a key interception off of Buccaneers quarterback Owen Holloway, which was returned for a touchdown. However, the five-game winning streak was followed by a four-game losing streak, and the Norfolk season continued to be inconsistent from that point on. They found themselves facing the Tijuana Luchadores in the final regular season game, both teams having already clinched a playoff spot. Before the start of the game, it was revealed that DeSoto had been voted defensive team captain by his teammates. The winner would have the first seed in the playoffs, but Norfolk was defeated, earning the third seed, paving a hard road of away wins needed for to win the Ultimini. Norfolk was a heavy underdog in the first round, a rematch away from home against the Luchadores, but a thrilling overtime win propelled them to the Ultimini. They faced the London Royals, but would ultimately fall in a close game, 17-24. This would be DeSoto’s final season in the DSFL.
Professional career statistics
| Career statistics | Defense | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Tck | TFL | FF/FR | Sck | Int | PD | Sfty | TD | Blk P/XP/FG |
| 2039 (S24) | Seawolves | 14 | 78 | 1 | 0/1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
Achievements and records
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