This year has been one of constant change and progression for young running back Antonio Summer. After a phenomenal rookie season in the NSFL proceeding his debut in the pro football scene with the Portland Pythons back in S10, Summer has found himself changing scenery after a trade was announced moving him from the cold frigid winter of Yellowknife down to the slightly milder winter of Baltimore. Today we'll be doing an in-depth analysis of the career of this outstanding running back prospect thus far.
Season Nine
Antonio Summer became an immediate house hold name as soon as he started his career when as a high school senior he was signed by the Portland Pythons of the DSFL for the remainder of their S9 campaign. After rocking the boat and setting records back home in Saskatchewan with the Melfort Wings, Summer took on an entirely new role on the Pythons roster as the secondary running back option for the rest of the S9 campaign. With some of the fastest feet in the game and elite in-game vision, he quickly become recognized as one of the most impressive prospects on the come up for the S10 DSFL Entry Draft. While Summer didn't post outstanding stats with the Pythons, back home he helped lead his team to a provincial run that was unseen by a small Saskatchewan team and put his name forward as one of the most impressive on-field leaders in the game.
Season Ten
There were very few people who doubted that Summer would be a top selection heading into the draft, but his drop down to ninth overall was quite unexpected. Despite his amazing development over the start of his career and his time in Portland, Summer managed to find his way into the third round where he was quickly snagged by the Pythons and brought home to play as the primary back. Heading into pre-season many people had Summer pegged as a lower end running back in the run heavy system of the DSFL, but the young star surprised everyone by bursting onto the scene with massive gusto and posting one of the most efficient seasons the DSFL has ever seen. Alongside team mate Slim Shady and veteran quarterback Jameis. L Christ, Summer went to work building the Pythons into one of the strongest teams of the season, posting a number of massive games that aided him in his pursuit towards the top. Summer established himself as one of the most reliable and efficient players in the game, and proved that he had what it took to compete with the best of players, even at the worst of times and was a surefire selection for running back of the year and for the DSFL Pro Bowl.
Season Eleven
With the first season of his career out of the way, it was time for the NSFL selection draft. With a number of teams in the league looking to add their future running back due to the old crop of grizzled running game veterans on their way out, the door was anything but closed for the Melfort Legend. While many people had the youngster pegged to go to the Arizona Outlaws in order to replace legendary running back Reg Mackworthy, Summer was instead selected by the Yellowknife Wraiths at fourth overall, sending him up into the far reaches of the north to play on one of the most consistent teams in NSFL history. With a roster that was mid retooling, their was a massive amount of room for Summer to immediately step in and push veteran Robby Rainey out of the way and claim his spot as the major rushing threat, but that soon changed after the Wraiths announced that they intended to use Summer as a duel threat rather than a primary back.
Despite these changes, Summer still managed to succeed, having once again an absolutely incredible season. It became obvious only a few games into the schedule that Summer was going to be a key piece of the Wraiths young offense, and alongside fellow rookie running back Thomas Carrasco and rookie receiver Josh Parker he did just that. With Rainey moving over to wide receiver and veteran Bailey Cook on the tail end of his career, it looked like the Wraiths would soon welcome in a whole new generation of talent on offense. Despite the Wraiths having a mediocre offense at best, Summer posted the best yards per carry of any running back in the league when rushing as well as the best yards per reception of any running back or tight end on the receiving end and showed off a whole new dynamic to his game. With competition fierce between him and fellow rookie running back Jerrod Canton it was do or die for the young running back. Pushing himself at the end of the season, Summer put forward massive numbers and secured himself the award of Offensive Rookie of the Year despite the Wraiths failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Season Twelve
After an absolutely incredible start to his NSFL career, all eyes were on Antonio Summer. The media pressure would only grow though as shortly following the Hawks loss in the Ultimus game final, the Wraiths management announced that Summer had been traded to the Baltimore Hawks alongside a first round pick in return for franchise quarterback Ryan Applehort who would take over for young quarterback Brad Pennington in Yellowknife. Summer was headed down to Baltimore to play alongside Owen Taylor who announced his retirement shortly after, and would be thrust back into a role similar to that of his in Portland as a carry based rusher. With a revitalized young offense around him, Summer has a massive host of offensive threats to play with this season in Baltimore. The Hawks are primed to once again be an extremely competitive team, and with a player the likes of Summer taking balls home for this season it will be no surprise if they manage to blow everyone's expectations out of the water.
Shortly after landing in Baltimore, Summer announced a new contract extension with the Hawks which totaled a whopping ten and a half million dollars over three years, a huge contract even for a more seasoned player. It is quite obvious that the Hawks have nothing but complete trust in their new young sophomore running back phenomenon. We were able to get in touch with the Melfort native about his season, and his move to Baltimore, here's what he had to say.
Interview
First off, congratulations on a great first season in the NSFL. How did it feel to be on the field with players you've grown up watching?
It was incredible, you always dream of being on a team with these guys and then suddenly it happens and it can't be described as anything but euphoric. The opportunities to play against guys like Owen Taylor and Reg Mackworthy this season was incredible, and igniting a rivalry with a divisional rival in Marquise Brown has been entertaining as well.
Now that you're in Baltimore, how do you see your statistics progressing?
Well I don't think it's any secret that Baltimore has a lot stronger offense where it stands right now. With blocking players such as Declan Harp and Verso L'Alto at my wing, I'm going to be able to run past opposing defenses like they're nothing. There is so much talent on this team that will help my play out, I'm really excited for this first game.
Were you upset when you first heard you would be leaving the Wraiths?
I won't lie and say I wasn't, but I was also very excited. Baltimore was a team I talked with extensively prior to the draft, and I think without question they would have selected me at fifth overall if the Wraiths hadn't grabbed me at fourth. Baltimore will be a great home, but Yellowknife was amazing as well.
Did you expect to win Offensive Rookie of the Year this season heading into awards night?
I already knew just because they tell you before hand, but I didn't really expect it. Canton had an amazing season, and there were certainly guys around the league who had amazing performances. I think in the end it just comes down to how much a player personally affects a teams direct success, and I think in that regard I had the most influence.
Things have been fairly quiet between you and your long time rival Ryan Cobalt as of late, is the tension gone?
[i]It's certainly not gone. On awards night both me and Ryan were present and you could feel it in the air, but I think the childish antics of our high school days are gone now for sure. We're both still very competitive, but just more smart in the way we show it. He's a fantastic player and I look forward to continuing this rivalry through out our careers.
Season Nine
Antonio Summer became an immediate house hold name as soon as he started his career when as a high school senior he was signed by the Portland Pythons of the DSFL for the remainder of their S9 campaign. After rocking the boat and setting records back home in Saskatchewan with the Melfort Wings, Summer took on an entirely new role on the Pythons roster as the secondary running back option for the rest of the S9 campaign. With some of the fastest feet in the game and elite in-game vision, he quickly become recognized as one of the most impressive prospects on the come up for the S10 DSFL Entry Draft. While Summer didn't post outstanding stats with the Pythons, back home he helped lead his team to a provincial run that was unseen by a small Saskatchewan team and put his name forward as one of the most impressive on-field leaders in the game.
Season Ten
There were very few people who doubted that Summer would be a top selection heading into the draft, but his drop down to ninth overall was quite unexpected. Despite his amazing development over the start of his career and his time in Portland, Summer managed to find his way into the third round where he was quickly snagged by the Pythons and brought home to play as the primary back. Heading into pre-season many people had Summer pegged as a lower end running back in the run heavy system of the DSFL, but the young star surprised everyone by bursting onto the scene with massive gusto and posting one of the most efficient seasons the DSFL has ever seen. Alongside team mate Slim Shady and veteran quarterback Jameis. L Christ, Summer went to work building the Pythons into one of the strongest teams of the season, posting a number of massive games that aided him in his pursuit towards the top. Summer established himself as one of the most reliable and efficient players in the game, and proved that he had what it took to compete with the best of players, even at the worst of times and was a surefire selection for running back of the year and for the DSFL Pro Bowl.
Season Eleven
With the first season of his career out of the way, it was time for the NSFL selection draft. With a number of teams in the league looking to add their future running back due to the old crop of grizzled running game veterans on their way out, the door was anything but closed for the Melfort Legend. While many people had the youngster pegged to go to the Arizona Outlaws in order to replace legendary running back Reg Mackworthy, Summer was instead selected by the Yellowknife Wraiths at fourth overall, sending him up into the far reaches of the north to play on one of the most consistent teams in NSFL history. With a roster that was mid retooling, their was a massive amount of room for Summer to immediately step in and push veteran Robby Rainey out of the way and claim his spot as the major rushing threat, but that soon changed after the Wraiths announced that they intended to use Summer as a duel threat rather than a primary back.
Despite these changes, Summer still managed to succeed, having once again an absolutely incredible season. It became obvious only a few games into the schedule that Summer was going to be a key piece of the Wraiths young offense, and alongside fellow rookie running back Thomas Carrasco and rookie receiver Josh Parker he did just that. With Rainey moving over to wide receiver and veteran Bailey Cook on the tail end of his career, it looked like the Wraiths would soon welcome in a whole new generation of talent on offense. Despite the Wraiths having a mediocre offense at best, Summer posted the best yards per carry of any running back in the league when rushing as well as the best yards per reception of any running back or tight end on the receiving end and showed off a whole new dynamic to his game. With competition fierce between him and fellow rookie running back Jerrod Canton it was do or die for the young running back. Pushing himself at the end of the season, Summer put forward massive numbers and secured himself the award of Offensive Rookie of the Year despite the Wraiths failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Season Twelve
After an absolutely incredible start to his NSFL career, all eyes were on Antonio Summer. The media pressure would only grow though as shortly following the Hawks loss in the Ultimus game final, the Wraiths management announced that Summer had been traded to the Baltimore Hawks alongside a first round pick in return for franchise quarterback Ryan Applehort who would take over for young quarterback Brad Pennington in Yellowknife. Summer was headed down to Baltimore to play alongside Owen Taylor who announced his retirement shortly after, and would be thrust back into a role similar to that of his in Portland as a carry based rusher. With a revitalized young offense around him, Summer has a massive host of offensive threats to play with this season in Baltimore. The Hawks are primed to once again be an extremely competitive team, and with a player the likes of Summer taking balls home for this season it will be no surprise if they manage to blow everyone's expectations out of the water.
Shortly after landing in Baltimore, Summer announced a new contract extension with the Hawks which totaled a whopping ten and a half million dollars over three years, a huge contract even for a more seasoned player. It is quite obvious that the Hawks have nothing but complete trust in their new young sophomore running back phenomenon. We were able to get in touch with the Melfort native about his season, and his move to Baltimore, here's what he had to say.
Interview
First off, congratulations on a great first season in the NSFL. How did it feel to be on the field with players you've grown up watching?
It was incredible, you always dream of being on a team with these guys and then suddenly it happens and it can't be described as anything but euphoric. The opportunities to play against guys like Owen Taylor and Reg Mackworthy this season was incredible, and igniting a rivalry with a divisional rival in Marquise Brown has been entertaining as well.
Now that you're in Baltimore, how do you see your statistics progressing?
Well I don't think it's any secret that Baltimore has a lot stronger offense where it stands right now. With blocking players such as Declan Harp and Verso L'Alto at my wing, I'm going to be able to run past opposing defenses like they're nothing. There is so much talent on this team that will help my play out, I'm really excited for this first game.
Were you upset when you first heard you would be leaving the Wraiths?
I won't lie and say I wasn't, but I was also very excited. Baltimore was a team I talked with extensively prior to the draft, and I think without question they would have selected me at fifth overall if the Wraiths hadn't grabbed me at fourth. Baltimore will be a great home, but Yellowknife was amazing as well.
Did you expect to win Offensive Rookie of the Year this season heading into awards night?
I already knew just because they tell you before hand, but I didn't really expect it. Canton had an amazing season, and there were certainly guys around the league who had amazing performances. I think in the end it just comes down to how much a player personally affects a teams direct success, and I think in that regard I had the most influence.
Things have been fairly quiet between you and your long time rival Ryan Cobalt as of late, is the tension gone?
[i]It's certainly not gone. On awards night both me and Ryan were present and you could feel it in the air, but I think the childish antics of our high school days are gone now for sure. We're both still very competitive, but just more smart in the way we show it. He's a fantastic player and I look forward to continuing this rivalry through out our careers.