Sharks Sign First Team All-NAL Defensive Back Kiante Northington

JACKSONVILLE – The 2019 National Arena League Champion Jacksonville Sharks have announced today the signing of First Team All-NAL Defensive Back Kiante Northington. This will be his third season in arena football and his first season with the Jacksonville Sharks.

Northington (5’9, 185) spent the 2019 season in the AFL with the Atlantic City Blackjacks where he played in 12 games totaling 65 tackles and two interceptions. As a rookie in 2018, Northington became a top defensive back for the Massachusetts Pirates where he led the NAL with 12 interceptions and was 3rd in the league in passes defended. That season Northington also recorded 63.5 tackles (55 solos, 17 assisted), 18 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble helping the Pirates to the postseason in their first year as a franchise.

Northington spent his college career at Eastern Kentucky where he played all four years for EKU (2013-2016) with 46 games under his belt at defensive back and kick returner. During his career, he totaled 260 tackles, 12 for a loss, 22 pass breakups, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. On special teams, Northington returned 14 kicks for 252 yards while also serving as a punt returner for East Kentucky adding 32 punt returns for 173 yards. During his senior season, he was named Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference at defensive back after starting in 11 games at cornerback gaining 89 tackles, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one interception in his last year of college football.

Kiante is a native of Louisville, Kentucky where he was a First Team All-State Wide Receiver, Defensive Back, and Kick Returner becoming the only 6-A player in the state of Kentucky to earn all three honors that year and earned an invitation to play in the Kentucky Bluegrass All-Star Game. Northington also played varsity basketball for two years before graduating.


About the Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all of their home games at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Shark Nation Memberships for the 2021 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700 or email info@jaxsharks.com Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumshark