Returning to the Indoor Football League, defensive back Joe Foucha (foo-SHAY) is back with the Bay Area Panthers in 2025. This comes on the heels of Foucha’s All-IFL Second Team and All-Rookie Team selections with Bay Area from a year ago.
As a rookie, Foucha shined under Panthers Head Coach Rob Keefe. The 5-foot-11 spark plug logged seven interceptions (one pick-six) and 17 passes defended (third-best in IFL) in 16 games. He also recovered one fumble.
Foucha’s play in 2024 garnered attention from around the league, and Bay Area is especially grateful to have him. “[Foucha] is one of the most physical players you'll find in football, and his athletic ability, instincts, and confidence always put him in great positions to make plays on the field,” Coach Keefe expressed.
Prior to the Panthers, Foucha competed collegiately for the LSU Tigers (2022) and Arkansas Razorbacks (2018-2021). That leaves him with five years of Southeastern Conference-playing experience. In 2020, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after notching two second-half interceptions versus Mississippi State.
With Louisiana State head coach Brian Kelly, Foucha’s lone campaign in Baton Rouge was impressive, showcasing 40 total tackles (one TFL), four passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble. He was a member of a Fighting Tigers defense that allowed only 22.5 PPG. He recently graduated from LSU with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Foucha saw action throughout four seasons at Arkansas. His final year in Fayetteville was his most dominant, producing 75 tackles, eight TFL, 1.5 sacks, five passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble.
Receiving NFL interest after college, Foucha attended rookie mini camps with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Ultimately, he is thrilled to be back with Bay Area. “[The Panthers] have built something great here, and I'm coming back to finish it. Winning the championship was the goal when I first signed with the team,” Foucha told BayAreaPanthers.com.
Foucha—a New Orleans native—played his high school ball at McDonogh 35 College Prep wherein he was a consensus three-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals.
His junior and senior seasons (LSWA All-State) for the McDonogh Roneagles were both prolific, netting combined totals of 127 tackles, 11 interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 10 forced fumbles. He also returned five kicks for touchdowns.
