Player Profile: WR Kevin Wiggins
Player Profile: WR Kevin Wiggins
After leaving his mark in the Millersville record books, wide receiver Kevin Wiggins is about to do the same across the pond.
Wiggins recently signed with a Spanish professional football team, Osos de Rivas, who compete in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano. The Madrid based team was one game short from the championship last season by losing in the semifinals.
“They’re a winning team and I am looking forward to going there,” Wiggins said. “I’m looking to bring home a championship.”
The former Marauder wide receiver is 3rd in receptions (196) and receiving yards (2,465). He is tied for 9th all-time in single-season touchdowns (8 in 2015) and tied for 3rd in career touchdowns (24).
During the 2017 season, he became 8th overall in the category of single-season receiving yards with 782 and caught 63 passes from three different quarterbacks for the Marauders as a senior.
After scoring three touchdowns in his final collegiate game, he ultimately thought that would be the final game he ever played in.
He has been playing football since he was four years old. The game holds a special place in his heart because of the many friendships and life lessons he has learned over the years.
"It is something you can’t experience anywhere else," Wiggins said.
He honestly thought he was going to give it up. However, friends, family, and teammates kept telling him he was too good to stop playing so early.
“The life lessons learned in football are something that will carry you in your life and the brothers and the friends you make from playing this game is something that means a lot,” Wiggins said.
Over the past few months, he has been training to prepare himself for another opportunity to play professional football.
He stated that he compares his game to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. Both are the same size and share the same playing style, explosive, deep ball receiving. Therefore, he has been modeling his training regimen based on the workouts used by Antonio Brown.
Through self-promotion on the Internet and social media, Kevin Wiggins made himself available to teams across Europe through Europlayers.com. He uploaded his video highlights and player profile. He received offers from a team in Cologne, Germany, and France.
He credits a former teammate, TJ Richardson for introducing him to euro players.com and the new possibilities that opened for him in his career.
Many teams went after Wiggins for his ability to stretch the field from his speed and quickness These attributes are desired skills for any team’s offensive essentials.
He is looking forward to the challenges that are being presented to him as the season approaches.
“I’ve only been here for a week but my favorite part so far I would have to say is the food,” he said.
“It’s a great experience and the transition has been easy,” Wiggins said. “My teammates and coaches have made me feel really at home.”
Wiggins is looking forward to making his mark for Osos de Rivas. His goals for the upcoming season in Spain are to bring leadership and his knowledge of the game to his new Spanish teammates. He wants to have a good season over there and gain more footage for scouting.
His contract goes from January to June and his first game will be the last week of January. If the team has a successful season, the team will plan on retaining Wiggins and the quarterback Ryan Deal for next season.
“We’ve been throwing outside of practice getting timing and chemistry down,” Wiggins said on his relationship with Deal.
American football has made a presence across the pond since 2007 where the National Football League hosts three regular-season games at Wembley Stadium in London.
Wiggins said that Spain is among the European nations who are trying to grow American football. France, Germany Japan, Brazil, and even Russia are also trying to cultivate America’s signature spot.
Wiggins says that the increase in professional leagues overseas has allowed players like him from all over the world an opportunity to develop game footage and to continue their gridiron goals.
“To help expand American football and opening up to people who have different views and aspects help your knowledge of the game,” Wiggins said.