Whittaker receives 3-year Blaze deal

Huey Whittaker, the only member of the Utah Blaze to be named first-team All-Arena after the recently completed season, is going to be back in a Blaze uniform next year.

Blaze head coach Ron James announced Tuesday the re-signing of Whittaker (6-5, 228, South Florida) to a three-year contract.

"Huey Whittaker is a young, dynamic player and has the ability to change the game," James said. "He had tremendous production for us last season, and we are looking forward to more of the same over the next three years."

Whittaker was one of three Blaze receivers to record more than 1,500 yards receiving in 2008. He led the team in yards with 1,541 and was second in catches and touchdowns with 126 and 32, respectively.

Whittaker recorded 11 or more catches in a game five times in 2008 and had 100 receiving yards or more seven times — including four straight games. His best game of the year came April 25 when he tallied a franchise-record 20 catches for 208 yards against the New Orleans VooDoo.

Along with being named to the All-Arena First Team, Whittaker was named to the ESPN.com All-AFL First Team.

Fellow Blaze wide receiver Aaron Boone (135 receptions for 1,526 yards and 23 touchdowns) and J.J. McKelvey (121 catches for 1,533 yards and 38 touchdowns) also had big seasons.

Whittaker, Boone and McKelvey are the first receiving trio in Arena Football League history to have at least 1,500 yards, 100 receptions and 20 touchdowns in the same season.