{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1985)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Rayshaun Kizer | image = | current_team = Tucson Sugar Skulls | number = <!-- 1, 6, 7 --> | position = Head coach | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|2|3}} | birth_place = Euclid, Ohio, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 10 | weight_lbs = 210 | high_school = Euclid (OH) | college = Walsh | undraftedyear = 2007 | pastteams = * New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2007}})* * Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|2007|2008}}) * Green Bay Blizzard ({{Af2 Year|2009}}) * Orlando Predators ({{AFL Year|2010}}–{{AFL Year|2011}}) * Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|2011}})* * Hamilton Tiger-Cats ({{CFL Year|2011}})* * Philadelphia Soul ({{AFL Year|2012}}–{{AFL Year|2014}}) * Arizona Rattlers ({{AFL Year|2015}})* * New Orleans VooDoo ({{AFL Year|2015}}) * Los Angeles KISS ({{AFL Year|2015}}–{{AFL Year|2016}}) * Qingdao Clipper ({{CAFL Year|2016}}) * Cleveland Gladiators ({{AFL Year|2017}}) * Georgia Doom (2018) | status = | cflstatus = | highlights = * 2× First-team All-Arena (2010, 2011) * 3× Second-team All-Arena (2013, 2014, 2015) | cflstatlabel1 = Total tackles | cflstatvalue1 = 30 | aflstatseason = | aflstatlabel1 = Total tackles | aflstatvalue1 = 518.0 | aflstatlabel2 = Forced fumbles | aflstatvalue2 = 7 | aflstatlabel3 = Pass deflections | aflstatvalue3 = 145 | aflstatlabel4 = Interceptions | aflstatvalue4 = 67 | aflstatlabel5 = Total touchdowns | aflstatvalue5 = 12 | cfl-archive = https://web.archive.org/web/20141220172655/http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/2517 | afl = 11114 | pastcoaching = * Bismarck Bucks ({{IFL Year|2019}}) <br>Assistant head coach / Defensive coordinator * Massachusetts Pirates ({{IFL Year|2020}}–{{IFL Year|2021}}) <br> Assistant head coach / Defensive coordinator * Massachusetts Pirates ({{IFL Year|2022}}) <br> Head coach / Defensive coordinator * Omaha Beef (2023) <br> Head coach / Defensive coordinator * Tucson Sugar Skulls ({{IFL Year|2024}}–{{IFL Year|2025}}) <br> Defensive coordinator * Tucson Sugar Skulls ({{IFL Year|2026}}–present) <br> Head coach | regular_record = {{Winning percentage|21|5|record=y}} | playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|2|1|record=y}} | overall_record = {{Winning percentage|23|6|record=y}} }}
'''Rayshaun Kizer''' (born February 3, 1985) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was the former head coach and defensive coordinator of the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and of the Omaha Beef of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). He is also a former National Football League, Canadian Football League, and Arena Football League defensive back. He played his college football at Walsh University and graduated with his bachelor's degree in Computer Science. He has been a member of the New York Jets of the National Football League, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, Orlando Predators, Philadelphia Soul, Arizona Rattlers, New Orleans VooDoo, Los Angeles KISS and Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League and Green Bay Blizzard of the Arena Football 2. He also served as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and special teams coach of the Bismarck Bucks of the IFL.
==Early life and college== Kizer attended Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio.
He played for the Walsh University Cavaliers from 2003 to 2006.<ref name="A">{{cite web|url=http://www.walsh.edu/2009-archive7 |title=Former Walsh DB, Rayshaun Kizer, Named AFL Playmaker of the Game |publisher=walsh.edu |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220165755/http://www.walsh.edu/2009-archive7 |archive-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref> He recorded 14 interceptions for the Cavaliers, returning 5 for touchdowns. He was named first-team All-American and first-team All-Conference his senior year. He was also named second-team All-Conference as a junior and first-team All-Conference as a sophomore. He was inducted into the school's Wall of Fame as part of the class of 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.walsh.edu/walsh-celebrates-2016-wall-of-fame-inductees | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328182911/https://www.walsh.edu/walsh-celebrates-2016-wall-of-fame-inductees | url-status=dead | archive-date=2016-03-28 | title=Walsh Celebrates 2015 Wall of Fame Inductees | publisher=walsh.edu | access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 10 | weight = 185 | dash = 4.51 | ten split = 1.56 | twenty split = 2.62 | shuttle = 4.07 | cone drill = 6.73 | vertical = 35+1/2 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 0 | bench = 15 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=72636&draftyear=2007&genpos=CB | title=Rayshaun Kizer | publisher=nfldraftscout.com | access-date=February 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDUBFd8a2c | title=Kizer Pro Day Training | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref>
}}
===New York Jets=== Kizer signed with the New York Jets on May 15, 2007, after going undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/five-tryouts-signed-four-sent-home-2512859 | title=Kizer signs with the New York Jets | publisher=newyorkjets.com}}</ref> He was released by the Jets on August 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kffl.com/player/16885/nfl/news/rayshaun-kizer |title=Rayshaun Kizer |publisher=kffl.com |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220164833/http://www.kffl.com/player/16885/nfl/news/rayshaun-kizer |archive-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref>
===Montreal Alouettes (first stint)=== Kizer was signed by the Montreal Alouettes on September 11, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3539700 |title=Alouettes Add Four |publisher=oursportscentral.com |date=September 11, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195631/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3539700 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0SdMHc-VO4 | title=Kizer 2009 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> He was released by the Alouettes on October 7, 2008.
===Green Bay Blizzard=== Kizer played for the Green Bay Blizzard of the af2 during the 2009 season. He played in 17 games for the Blizzard, recording 65 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was awarded Defensive Player of the Week honors in the American Conference Finals Game after sealing the victory with a game-ending interception.
===Orlando Predators=== Kizer played for the Orlando Predators from 2010 to 2011. He led the Arena Football League in interceptions with 12 his rookie year in 2010, earning first-team All-Arena honors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEB&search_query=rayshaun+kizer+2010 | title=Kizer 2010 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4096959 |title=Rayshaun Kizer and T.T. Toliver return for 2011 |publisher=oursportscentral.com |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195721/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4096959 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=11114&pageview=bio | title=Rayshaun Kizer | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=December 20, 2014}}</ref> He set a new AFL record when he recorded 16 interceptions during the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walsh.edu/2010-archive7 |title=Former Cavalier DB Rayshaun Kizer Sets New AFL Interceptions Mark |publisher=walsh.edu |date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220195758/http://www.walsh.edu/2010-archive7 |archive-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u67QYl3k0Xc&t=183s | title=Kizer 2011 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> Kizer was also named first-team All-Arena for the second consecutive year.
===Montreal Alouettes (second stint)=== Kizer was signed to the practice squad of the Alouettes on September 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-september-2011 |title=Transactions - September 2011 |publisher=cfl.ca |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195858/http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-september-2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref> He was released by the Alouettes on October 6, 2011.<ref name="C">{{cite web|url=http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-october-2011 |title=Transactions - October 2011 |publisher=cfl.ca |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195858/http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-october-2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref>
===Hamilton Tiger-Cats=== Kizer was signed to the practice squad of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on October 15, 2011.<ref name="C"/> He was released by the Tiger-Cats on November 2, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-november-2011 |title=Transactions - November 2011 |publisher=cfl.ca |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195859/http://cfl.ca/page/transactions-november-2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref>
===Philadelphia Soul=== <ref name="D">{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/112211aae.html |title=Soul Add Record-Setting DB Rayshaun Kizer |publisher=arenafootball.com |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220190209/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/112211aae.html |archive-date=December 20, 2014 }}</ref> Kizer signed with the Philadelphia Soul on November 22, 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=99 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=December 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmziASmliE&t=140s | title=Kizer 2012 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> He earned second-team All-Arena honors after recording 82 tackles and 9 interceptions in 18 games with the Soul in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6UeQoFhxF8 | title=Kizer 2013 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> He was named second-team All-Arena for the second consecutive year after collecting 101.5 tackles and 9 interceptions in 18 games in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/aflsoul/mtt/kizer_rayshaun00.html |title=Rayshaun Kizer |publisher=arenafootball.com |access-date=December 20, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020195927/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/aflsoul/mtt/kizer_rayshaun00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWHka0mDcyg | title=Kizer 2014 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref>
===Arizona Rattlers=== On January 7, 2015, Kizer was assigned to the Arizona Rattlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soul/Rayshaun_Kizer_to_join_Arizona_Rattlers.html |title=Rayshaun Kizer leaves Soul to join Arizona Rattlers |publisher=philly.com |access-date=January 8, 2015 |author=Johnson, Vaughn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108161709/http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soul/Rayshaun_Kizer_to_join_Arizona_Rattlers.html |archive-date=January 8, 2015 }}</ref>
===New Orleans VooDoo=== On March 23, 2015, Kizer, was traded to the New Orleans VooDoo in exchange for future considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxscorenews.com/new-orleans-voodoo-acquire-allarena-db-kizer-p117384-68.htm |title=New Orleans VooDoo acquire All-Arena DB Kizer |publisher=boxscorenews.com |date=March 24, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2015 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325165042/http://boxscorenews.com/new-orleans-voodoo-acquire-allarena-db-kizer-p117384-68.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2015 }}</ref>
===Los Angeles KISS=== On May 25, 2015, Kizer was traded to the Los Angeles KISS for future considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arenainsider.com/2015/05/25/voodoo-trades-rayshaun-kizer-to-la-kiss/ |title=Voodoo Trades Rayshaun Kizer To LA Kiss |publisher=arenainsider.com |access-date=May 26, 2015 |author=Carter, Anthony |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526234146/http://arenainsider.com/2015/05/25/voodoo-trades-rayshaun-kizer-to-la-kiss/ |archive-date=May 26, 2015 }}</ref> He earned second-team All-Arena honors for the third consecutive year after recording 87.5 tackles and five interceptions in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSfNLpFDpz0 | title=Kizer 2015 Highlight Tape | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> He became a free agent after the 2015 season. On November 6, 2015, Kizer was assigned to the KISS for the 2016 season. Kizer suffered a season ending ankle injury that kept him out for most of the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Los_Angeles_KISS-219/transactions/ |title=Team Transactions |publisher=arenafan.com |date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109191601/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Los_Angeles_KISS-219/transactions/ |archive-date=November 9, 2015 }}</ref>
===Qingdao Clipper=== Kizer was selected by the Qingdao Clipper in the fourth round of the 2016 CAFL draft.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://caflfootball.com/cafl-draft-results-are-in/ | title=CAFL DRAFT RESULTS – SEE IT AGAIN – FULL RESULTS HERE | publisher=caflfootball.com | date=June 11, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017192935/http://caflfootball.com/cafl-draft-results-are-in/ | access-date=October 17, 2016| archive-date=2016-10-17 }}</ref>
===Cleveland Gladiators=== On January 9, 2017, Kizer was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.clevelandgladiators.com/team/latest-news/five-time-all-arena-db-rayshaun-kizer-joins-gladiators | title=Five-Time All-Arena DB Rayshaun Kizer Joins Gladiators | publisher=clevelandgladiators.com | date=January 9, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110175549/http://www.clevelandgladiators.com/team/latest-news/five-time-all-arena-db-rayshaun-kizer-joins-gladiators | access-date=January 10, 2017| archive-date=2017-01-10 }}</ref>
===Georgia Doom=== In March 2018, Kizer was assigned to the Georgia Doom.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wgxa.tv/sports/pro-sports/its-devastating-georgia-doom-players-speak-out-on-playoff-controversy | title=Georgia Doom Players Speak Out | date=11 June 2018 | publisher=wgxa.tv/sports}}</ref>
== Coaching career ==
===Bismarck Bucks=== In January 2019, Kizer was assigned to the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League (IFL) as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and special teams coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/sports/Bismarck-Bucks-fresh-off-bye-week-510077851.html | title=Bismarck Coming off Bye Week | date=17 May 2019 | publisher=kfyrtv.com}}</ref>
===Massachusetts Pirates=== In March 2020, Kizer was assigned to the Massachusetts Pirates of the National Arena League as the defensive coordinator. Due to COVID in 2020 the Massachusetts Pirates season was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thisweekinworcester.com/massachusetts-pirates-season-cancelled/ | title=Pirates Season Cancelled for 2020 | date=13 June 2020 | publisher=thisweekinworcester.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmanNeC_f8g | title=Kizer Off Season Interview | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref>
Following the next season in 2021, Kizer returned to the Pirates as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. They won the 2021 United Bowl against the Arizona Rattlers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcSTK0dweOc | title=2021 United Bowl Championship Game | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref> Winners of 11 straight games that season and Kizer was the only assistant coach to receive votes for coach of the year. He also had the #1 Defense in the league that season holding opponents to 31.7 PPG.
In January 2022, Kizer was promoted to head coach of the Pirates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/pirates-move-pass-to-front-office-promote-head-coach-from-within/n-5786577 |title=Pirates Name Kizer Head Coach for 2022 |website=Massachusetts Pirates |date=January 29, 2022}}</ref> He had a successful first season as a head coach with an 11–5 record but lost the first round of the playoffs at home against the Quad City Steamwheelers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_RK-Vp-2A8 | title=2022 First Round Playoff Game | publisher=youtube.com}}</ref>
===Omaha Beef=== In January 2022, Kizer was assigned to the Omaha Beef of the Champions Indoor Football as the head coach. In his first season as the Beef head coach, he was the first head coach in CIF history to ever have an undefeated season. They also won the 2023 CIF Championship against the Salina Liberty 50-30.
Also as the defensive coordinator of this team, Kizer had the best defense in CIF history holding teams to a record-setting 20.8 PPG and only 142.8 YPG for the entire season.
Despite this Kizer would not return to the Beef for their 2024 season, as he resigned as head coach on December 18, 2023 and was replaced by Mike Tatum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/beef-part-ways-wtih-kizer/n-6040954#google_vignette |title=Beef Parts Ways with Kizer |date=December 18, 2023 |publisher=OurSports Central|work=oursportscentral.com |accessdate=December 23, 2023}}</ref>
===Tucson Sugar Skulls=== In December 2023, Kizer was assigned to the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the IFL as the defensive coordinator.
On September 23, 2025, Kizer was promoted to head coach of the Sugar Skulls.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tucsonsugarskulls.com/news/2025/9/23/football-sugar-skulls-announce-rayshan-kizer-as-head-coach.aspx |title=Sugar Skulls announce Rayshaun Kizer as Head Coach |website=Sugar Skulls |date=2025-09-23 |access-date=2025-09-29}}</ref>
== Head coaching record == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan=2|League !! rowspan=2|Team !! rowspan=2|Year !! colspan=4|Regular season !! colspan=4|Postseason |- !Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result |-! |- !IFL || Massachusetts Pirates || 2022 || 11 || 5 || {{winpct|11|5}} || 2nd in East|| 0 || 1 || {{winpct|0|1}} || Lost Quarterfinals (Quad City) 38–39 |- ! colspan=3|IFL total || 11 || 5 || {{winpct|11|5}} || || 0 || 1 || {{winpct|0|1}} || |- !CIF || Omaha Beef || 2023 || 10 || 0 || {{winpct|10|0}} || 1st in CIF || 2 || 0 || {{winpct|2|0}} ||'''Won''' Semifinal (Billings) 42–6<br> '''Won''' Champions Bowl VIII (Salina) 50-30 |- ! colspan=3|CIF total || 10 || 0 || {{winpct|10|0}} || || 2 || 0 || {{winpct|2|0}} || |- ! colspan=3|Career total || 21 || 5 || {{winpct|21|5}} || || 2 || 1 || {{winpct|2|1}} || |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=kizerray001 Stats Crew profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kizer, Rayshaun}} Category:Living people Category:1985 births Category:American football defensive backs Category:Canadian football defensive backs Category:Walsh Cavaliers football players Category:New York Jets players Category:Montreal Alouettes players Category:Green Bay Blizzard players Category:Orlando Predators players Category:Philadelphia Soul players Category:Arizona Rattlers players Category:New Orleans VooDoo players Category:Los Angeles Kiss players Category:Cleveland Gladiators players Category:Qingdao Clipper players Category:Players of American football from Euclid, Ohio Category:Georgia Doom players Category:Players of Canadian football from Ohio Category:Indoor Football League coaches Category:National Arena League coaches Category:Champions Indoor Football coaches Category:Omaha Beef coaches