| No. 14 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1976-05-23)May 23, 1976 (age 49) Hatboro, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Hatboro-Horsham (PA) |
| College | Wake Forest |
| NFL draft | 1999: undrafted |
| Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
Brian Kuklick (born May 23, 1976) is an American formerquarterback for theOrlando Rage of theXFL.[1]
A star top-ranked football player inPennsylvania, Kuklick became a two-sport athlete atWake Forest University. In addition to playing as a quarterback, Kuklick played as a member of theWake Forest Demon Deacons baseball team as a freshman.[2] He drafted in the 5th round by theNew York Mets in the June 1994 free agent draft. Kuklick graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications.[3]
In 1994, Kuklick made his first collegiate start against in the season finale againstGeorgia Tech. He led the Demon Deacons to a 20–13 victory where he completed 6-of-15 passes for 59 yards. In 1995, Kuklick lost the starting quarterback competition toRusty LaRue, but replaced LaRue in the season opener againstAppalachian State. He was named the starter the following week againstTulane, but sustained a broken right arm that ended his season. In 1996, Kucklick led theAtlantic Coast Conference in passes completed, passes attempted and passing yards. In 1997, he started the first nine games of the season before breaking his leg againstClemson.[4] On the season, he threw for a career high 15 touchdowns and was named second-team all conference. In 1998, Kuklick threw for a career high 2,683 yards while the Demon Deacons finished with a 3–8 record.[5] At the conclusion of the season he appeared in theBlue–Gray Football Classic andGridiron Classic.[6] In the Gridiron Classic, Kuklick sustained a concussion in the second half and was replaced byGraham Leigh.[7]
Football statistics
| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 1994 | Wake Forest | 7 | 1 | 1–0 | 39 | 98 | 39.8 | 393 | 4.0 | 2 | 8 | 63.9 | 23 | 48 | 2.1 | 1 | |
| 1995 | Wake Forest | 2 | 1 | 0–1 | 15 | 28 | 53.6 | 235 | 8.4 | 2 | 0 | 147.6 | 6 | 2 | 0.3 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Wake Forest | 11 | 11 | 3–8 | 205 | 396 | 51.8 | 2,526 | 6.4 | 11 | 13 | 108.0 | 80 | -72 | -0.9 | 1 | |
| 1997 | Wake Forest | 9 | 9 | 4–5 | 190 | 312 | 60.9 | 2,180 | 7.0 | 15 | 11 | 128.4 | 51 | -48 | -0.9 | 1 | |
| 1998 | Wake Forest | 11 | 11 | 3–8 | 216 | 396 | 54.5 | 2,683 | 6.8 | 14 | 17 | 114.5 | 78 | -109 | -1.4 | 3 | |
| Career | 40 | 33 | 11–22 | 665 | 1,230 | 54.1 | 8,017 | 6.5 | 44 | 49 | 112.7 | 238 | -179 | -0.8 | 6 | ||
In 1999, Kuklick signed and attended training camp with theDallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He also spent time with theOakland Raiders. He signed with theNew England Patriots on February 29, 2000, before being released on May 4, 2000.[8]
Kuklick became a member of theOrlando Rage during theXFL's debut season. He was selected in the 24 round of the2001 XFL draft.
In week 5 against theMemphis Maniax, Kuklick replaced starting quarterbackJeff Brohm who sustained an injury. In the third quarter he threw an XFL record 81-yard touchdown pass toDialleo Burks. In the fourth quarter he led the Rage on a go ahead field goal drive that secured the win.[9] In week 7 against theLos Angeles Xtreme, Brohm was lost for the season due to an injury. Kuklick came on in relief once again and completed 17-of-23 passes for 228 yards but threw three interceptions. The following week againstNew York/New Jersey Hitmen, Kuklick made his first professional start. He led the Rage to a 17–12 victory over the Hitmen. Kuklick completed 12-of-24 passes for 128 with a touchdown and interception. During the regular season he appeared in eight games (3 starts) with a 2–1 record as the starting quarterback. He finished sixth in the league with 994 passing yards, but led the league with ten interceptions. Kuklick started the semi-final game againstSan Francisco Demons, but was replaced byJim Arellanes in fourth quarter.
The league was a financial failure, and the XFL ceased operations in May 2001. After retiring from football, Kuklick became an account manager atIkon Office Solutions inCharlotte, North Carolina.[10]
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | ||
| 2001 | ORL | 8 | 3 | 2–1 | 68 | 122 | 55.7 | 994 | 8.1 | 81 | 6 | 10 | 64.7 | 17 | 31 | 1.8 | 9 | 1 |
| Career | 8 | 3 | 2–1 | 68 | 122 | 55.7 | 994 | 8.1 | 81 | 6 | 10 | 64.7 | 17 | 31 | 1.8 | 9 | 1 | |
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | ||
| 2001 | ORL | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 5 | 16 | 31.2 | 46 | 2.9 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 14.5 | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | -2 | 0 |