I heard that new player models were a big fail so I think instead of creating new player models you guys should animate the regular ones.
For Example:
Mo'Bends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOyVbXqMwlU
Animated Player Mod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjTZIuQZjW0
Try creating your own animations for the player that would be fun.
The player could make a "I accept your battle" stance or a "I lost" stance etc...