TAMPA BAY – The Arena Football League announced today that Tampa Bay Storm wide receiver and kick returner Kendrick Ings was named the 2017 Arena Football League Playmaker of the Year.

Ings (5-foot-10, 180 lbs., Miller Grove H.S.) who entered his third season with the Storm had a breakout year at both receiver and kick returner. Arguably the fastest player in the AFL, Ings uses his legs to stretch defenses, leading to dramatic plays on both offense and special teams.

The Miami native finished the season putting up elite numbers and finishing in the top-10 of several categories. However, his largest impact can be felt in the return game. He outpaced all returners with 1,063 kickoff return yards, averaging 21.7 yards per return and 81.8 yards per game. He also led the League with four kickoffs returned for touchdowns.

Ings became a threat on offense this season, giving quarterback Randy Hippeard a speedy target. He finished the season in the top-five of several receiving categories including: receptions per game (4th-7.0), receiving yards per game (4th-81.5), receptions (2nd-98), receiving yards (3rd-1,141), and receiving touchdowns (5th-22).

The three-year veteran could also be nicknamed, “Mr. All-Purpose,” as he led the League with 2,219 all-purpose yards, which was 963 yards more than the next player on the list, Brandon Thompkins (1,256). Ings held three of the top four all-purpose performances on the season, with his best coming versus the Philadelphia Soul in week two when he racked up 346 all-purpose yards (137-receiving, 209 kickoff return).

This is the first postseason award of Ings’ career.