Rusty Rucker

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Rusty Rucker
Image of Rusty Rucker
Rucker planning his next manhandling
No. 53 – Colorado Yeti
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2016-09-16)September 16, 2016 (aged 44)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Username:Lancedjack
Career information
High school:Earl Haig
College:Syracuse
ISFL Draft:2040  / Round: 2 / Pick: 9
DSFL Draft:2039  / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
Roster status:Retired

Rusty Rucker (born September 16, 2016) is an American football linebacker. He played college football for Syracuse (SU) and was selected 8th overall by the Norfolk Seawolves in the DSFL S24 Draft and 23rd overall by the Honolulu Hahalua in the ISFL S25 Draft. Rucker was signed to the Colorado Yeti as a free agent prior to the start of the 28th ISFL season.

Early years

From the great white North of Toronto, Canada came the specimen that is Rusty Rucker. Rusty played TimBits hockey as a child and holds the current record for goals conceded in a game, a staggering 7 goals, in a league where the children can't even skate. It was apparent that hockey wasn't going to be his game. Born to mother Shanice, a high school teacher in Toronto and father Fuddle, an electrician they quickly moved him off the skates and into cleats. He started peewee football in the Summer and quickly gained a knack for it. His first season of TimBits football he played defensive line and running back, a combination that would prove to be short lived. In his TimBits league he was renowned and would often be asked to provide a birth certificate prior to playing, owing to his height and prowess.

After entering high school he dedicated himself full time to the craft of the traditional rules of football, not entertained by the notion of 30 yard end zones and receivers hitting the line running. His parents would ferry him from mini camp to mini camp, learning the finer points and technical angles required for even aspiring to a college scholarship, nevermind receiving an offer. It was in his Freshman year that Rusty transitioned full time to linebacker, playing all of his Earl Haig High School football in the position. In his final season as a senior he held the school record for tackles completed, 168, without missing a single one. This was complimented with six sacks across the season and four fumble recoveries, two for touchdowns.

Lettered for three years in high school and his jersey is now retired at Earl Haig, an honor bestowed upon few. Predominantly because it produces so few prospects, but an honor nevertheless.

High School Rating

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Rusty Rucker
LB
Toronto, ON Earl Haig 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 211 lb (96 kg) May 15, 2034 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN grade: 88
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

College career

After graduating from high school, Rucker attended and played college football for Syracuse whilst majoring in Economics & Business.

As a freshman Rucker played in all 12 games with 11 starts and lead all Syracuse true freshmen with 39 tackles. Rucker made four tackles in his initial college debut, coming in against Conneticut. Posted his best freshman performance against Virginia Tech with twelve tackles and a blocked field goal. Logged his first career sack for Syracuse versus NC State for a loss of 8 yards.

As a sophomore Rucker started eight games due to injury however still tied amongst linebackers at SU with 32 tackles, including 4 for a loss and recording a further half a sack. Suffered his injury vs Miami after being on the receiving end of a heinous chop block resulting in a lower leg injury, later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain. His season high came against LSU with 10 tackles and 2 sacks, monstering their line and showing great resilience in the face of an overwhelming loss.

Rucker started all games his Junior year and posted 56 tackles (33 solo) including 11 for a loss. He also collected 2.5 sacks along with 2 Interceptions, returning one for his first, and only, college pick six. He was selected as the defensive game captain and for the first time against Clemson, posting seven tackles, three for a loss and one sack before being selected as team captain the following week against Louisville. Was named to the Spring SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Finally set the Camping World Bowl record with 8 tackles against Boston College, tying Donald Donkers record for the most tackles by a Syracuse defender in a bowl game.

Ruckers Senior year saw him as the Defensive team captain along with an All-ECAC selection. He also was the receipient of the Bill Horr award as Syracuse's most valuable player. Also took home the Don Edmonston award at the year-end dinner for intensity, drive, effort and attitude. Started all games and led all Orange linebackers with 74 tackles (15 TFL). Rucker broke his record set in his freshman year with 15 tackles vs Western Michigan, including two sacks in a shut out victory. In his final college game Rucker lead the Orangemen to a victory vs Wake Forest and was credited with six tackles, four for a loss along with a sack and 6 passes defended.

College career statistics

Career statistics Defense
Season Team Games Tck TFL FF/FR Sck Int PD Sfty TD Blk P/XP/FG
2035 Syracuse 12 39 4 1/0 2 0 18 0 0 0/0/1
2036 Syracuse 8 32 4 1/1 3.5 0 22 0 0 0/0/0
2037 Syracuse 12 56 11 4/1 2.5 2 38 0 1 0/0/0
2038 Syracuse 12 74 15 5/4 5 0 29 0 0 0/0/0

Professional career

Rookie Edition Rucker Trading Card

Rucker was selected 8th Overall in the 2039 Draft by the Norfolk Seawolves. A highly touted draft prospect eighth seemed about right for a player of Ruckers caliber, who was then signed to the standard contract rate for a DSFL First Rounder of $5 million dollars. Rucker would go on to have a solid rookie campaign, leading the Norfolk Seawolves in tackles and sacks on the year. He posted two Performances of the week, Week 11 in an away win against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers and Week 14. Week 14[1] would be his best game of the season in a loss to the Tijuana Luchadores where Rucker posted 11 tackles alongside 2 sacks. Whilst Norfolk would go back to the Ultimini that year and Rucker would have a pick along with eight tackles in the Ultimini, it was not enough to get the back to back victory the team desired.

With his quiet and reserved demeanor outside of his Norfolk team mates Rucker was not high on many mock draft boards going into the ISFL draft. This, alongside the rumors of things turning sour in the Norfolk dressing room, had critics wondering if Rucker could repeat the feats he'd achieved with Norfolk. With interest from several ISFL teams Rucker spent his offseason developing his strength through a new fitness regime. This was known as CROSSFIT ALL BOLD and would involve the typical movements associated with CrossFit in conjunction with running a minimum of 10km a day. This caused him to lose all of his hair. Along with his newly hired personal chef, Rusty looked to add at least thirty pounds of lean muscle.

Ruckers transition to the ISFL was quite fraught over his first two seasons. His first season would see him stuck behind perennial All Pro Guy Fields on the depth chart, unable to usurp the first round pick of the Honolulu Hahalua. What was established was a rotational system which proved to be quite ineffective for the team as a whole and would leave both players partially satisfied. With the superior pedigree, draft position and ability Fields would secure the main Linebacker spot going into the 2041 (S26) Season leaving Rucker as more of a rotational player off the edge. Whilst this would garner him a "starting spot" it would also prove a downgrade on playing time and chance at making an impact on the field for Rucker which would disillusion him further from the Hawaiian franchise.

In the offseason of the 2042 (S27) season Rucker would enter free agency after activating his mutual option. In spite of pursuit from a number of teams, including the Philadelphia Liberty which would provide an opportunity to link up with his previous Norfolk Seawolves cohort Jimi DeSoto Rucker would eventually choose the storied franchise of the Colorado Yeti home to his DSFL mentors Adelie De Pengu and Melvin Murder-Moose. This would prove to be an incredibly fortuitous move for Rucker. He exploded onto the scene with an incredible season, setting a league record for forced fumbles and joint-leading the league in sacks as a part of the vaunted Yeti defense. Rucker would finish the season receiving nominations for Linebacker of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and ultimately winning Defensive Breakout Player of the Year.

Unfortunately that would be the last piece of silverware Rucker would set his eyes on at the ISFL level. In spite of a few more nominations and a trip to the Ultimus it wasn't to be for the ill-fated Linebacker. He would finish his career as the all time leader in forced fumbles in the league along with a spattering of other awards. Critics would often talk of what could've been had he simply set his sights a bit higher, or been more willing to leave behind teams sooner. Undoubtedly his time in Honolulu in his earlier years contributed to his statistical shortcomings and, had he accrued more playing time early, he may have hit that fabled 100 sack mark. His short lived time as a D-End at the ISFL level will live in infamy in it's short sightedness and his adherence to linebacker lead to an undoubted resurgance in his career. His badge as a "Nearly man" will always eclipse an otherwise sterling career. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40‑yd dash 20‑ss 3‑cone Vert jump Broad BP Wonderlic
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)
235 lb
(107 kg)
4.35 s 4.24 s 7.15 s 34.7 in
(0.88 m)
11 ft 0.9 in
(3.38 m)
40 reps 30
2039 ISFL Draft Combine

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 95 4 7/0 0 0 5 0 0 0
2040 (S25) Hahalua 16 51 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
2041 (S26) Hahalua 16 41 15 1/0 5 0 0 0 0 0
2042 (S27) Yeti 16 90 5 6/3 18 0 10 0 0 0
2043 (S28) Yeti 16 94 2 1/0 8 0 10 0 0 0
2044 (S29) Yeti 16 79 2 3/3 12 2 18 1 0 0
2045 (S30) Yeti 16 126 6 6/1 10 0 16 0 0 0
2046 (S31) Yeti 16 136 5 3/1 16 3 13 0 0 0
2047 (S32) Yeti 16 144 11 8/1 11 0 9 1 0 0
2048 (S33) Yeti 16 116 5 4/3 9 2 14 0 0 0
Total 158 877 51 32/12 99 7 95 2 0 0

Achievements and records

Awards

Team
Individual
  • 2038: Bill Horr Award (Syracuse MVP)
  • 2038: Don Edmonston Award for Intensity
  • 2037: SU Athletic Honor Roll
  • 2037: Camping World Bowl Tackle Record

References

  1. "Week 14 Norfolk @ Tijuana". ISFL.net. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.