By Larry Blustein
National Recruiting Editor
July 30, 2007
NEW ORLEANS – Far removed from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, at the New Orleans Saints practice facility, over 200 athletes flocked to the Crescent City with the idea of attracting the attention of Arena Football League coaches. Mission accomplished!

The second MSL/Arena Football League Combine was easily one of the most impressive event that was ever held, and by the time last Saturday’s combine was finished, several quality football players impressed coaches and spectators who attended a day of football.

With many official of the AFL and MSL in attendance, players came from all over the country to try and continue their football careers.

From junior college players who were finished with their eligibility, to fathers who brought entire families to New Orleans, the objective was to run, lift and showcase their skills on the football field.

“I think most of the young men who attended this event were bowled over by how we run a combine and how impressive we do things,” said MSL Partner and Combine Director Chuck Muncie. “We were also approached by coaches from the Arena League who were equally as impressed by how well things were run.”

Whether they have competed in the Arena League or had tryouts with NFL teams, the objective was to impress – and most didn’t disappoint.

As we do for all of our combines, the selection of the Elite 22 was something that became a challenge this past weekend. There were easily 22 players who stood out, and while choosing those 22 wasn’t an easy task to perform, our many coaches and talent evaluators made the decision based on talent and overall performance during the day.

“When we choose the top 22 at most high school combines we host, it’s easy to spot the best kids,” said MSL National Recruiting Evaluator Charles Fishbein. “The Arena event brought out so many players, making the decision was more of a challenge.”

Here is a look at some of the top players who attended the New Orleans event:

1. Andrew Jilles, DL, Central Missouri State: Easily one of the most impressive players at the event. This New Orleans native, who attended John Ehret High School and played junior college football in California, tested extremely well and dominated during the football drills. NFL teams have also inquired.

2. Stephan Agyeman, DB, University of Akron: From the start of the combine, this is one of the players who came with the most impressive credentials with time already spent in the Arena Football League. A quality athlete who turned heads with his talent and physical ability. Easily one of the top players at the event.

3. Richard Washington, WR/DB, North Carolina State: This Fort Myers, (Fl.) native is simply a few positive breaks away from being in an NFL. He has the ability to change a game. Any game! Freakish ability needs to come out more often.

4 Marcus Allen, WR, University of Albany: If his impressive frame didn’t get your attention, his speed and ability to make catches certainly did. A very talented football player who left an athletic calling card. This is very much a player who delivered a message to the AFL coaches.

5. Gemayel Cowser, DL, Eastern Michigan: Another of the top players who combined his running and lifting ability with his football skills. Coaches on hand were impressed by his motor and he way he approached the game, which he illustrated in the one-on-one drills.

6. Anthony Baldwin, DB, Towson State: From his first test to the football skills portion of the event, this is a player that many on hand watched do some great things. His one-on-one coverage impressed a number of Arena Football coaches. Many receivers talked about his coverage skills and how he came up big the entire day.

7. Donald DeFrand, DB, Nebraska: A big time talent who has NFL skills. Will always catch your eye because of the things he does. He is a major college kid with plenty of speed and big time talent level.

8. Chris Coach, WR, West Alabama: Tremendous athlete who not only showcased his skills on the football field, but also made a major impact during the morning testing, posting good numbers.

9. Phillip Suliafu, DL, Dixie State College: Yet another of the defensive line prospects who was impressive from start to finish. Made the most of his opportunities in “one-on-one” drills.

10. Chris Goffer, WR, Youngstown State: Another player who put on a show with several catches during the one-on-one drills as well as a solid individual performance.

11. Derek Henderson, DL, Solano College: From the start of the combine, with the morning testing, to the afternoon football drills, this is yet another quality athlete who had coaches talking about his skill level. Was very quick off the ball in the one-on-one drills.

12. Onyi Momah, RB, Hofstra: Not only was this young man impressive with his individual testing, but he showed that he had tremendous hands and the ability to create mismatches – even in small area of space. Coaches followed him around much of the day.

13. Joseph Jean-Pierre, WR, Richmond: While many of the athletes on hand ran and tested well, football is the name of the game, and when he had the chance to catch the ball and work one-on-one against some impressive defensive backs, he got it done – over and over again.

13. Jamil Frink, DL, Delta State: There were some impressive battles during the line drills throughout the course of the day, and every time many watched, this was the player who was in the mix. Quality athlete with a chance to keep playing.

14. Christopher Walker, WR, North Carolina A&T: When you evaluate a football prospect, you do so with the idea that the athlete can run, has some physical skills and gets it done on the field. Here is yet another football talent who impressed with tremendous hands and great route running abilities.

15. Jerome Hildreth, OL, Johnson C. Smith: While much of the focus was on the one-on-one battles between the receivers and defensive backs, the line battles were also epic as this quality football player not only got it done in testing, but also showed up big time in the football portion of the combine.

16. Brian Matthews, WR, Southeast Missouri State: While many players on hand dazzled with overall speed and testing, this is one player who truly turned some heads with quality catches in drills as well as showing that he had the physical ability to compete in the impressive AFL.
17. David Smith, DB, Minnesota State: This native Floridian was another of the players who impressed with his play during the afternoon portion of the event. His physical style was something that coaches were talking about during the drills.

18. Mofa Efimba, DB, Texas Southern: When the drills began, this was one of the players that many on hand singled out for his aggressive style of play. This is someone who could parlay his football skills into a tryout with an AFL program.

17. Duriel Adams, DB, Southeastern Louisiana: While it’s never easy to judge football skills from watching someone run and lift weights, the true measure of this young man’s ability surfaced when he had the chance to cover and to compete in the skill drills.

18. Marcus Barnes, WR, University of Southern Mississippi: Yet another player who came to the event to showcase his overall skill level, and certainly never disappointed. He has tremendous hands and knows exactly what to do when he catches the ball. Coaches liked him.

19. John Port, QB, Albright (Pa.) College: On a day when quarterbacks had more than a fair share of time to showcase their skills, this was a talented player who made all the throws and gave a glimpse of an accurate arm. Most receivers acknowledged that this was a passer who could emerge as an AFL candidate.

20. Demetrius Wilbert, WR, Southeastern Oklahoma: When the afternoon began, this was one of the players who came up with some of the nicer catches. His ability was noticed by all who were watching.

21. Jason Anthony, LB, Missouri State University: While it’s often tough to judge the way a linebacker would hit in a drill at a combine, you can tell a lot about how athletic he is on pass coverage drills, and this was someone who looked very good.

22. Clint Smith, WR, Mississippi State: One of the most solid receivers at the combine. Showed outstanding body control and tremendous receiving ability. Has played this game at a high level.

If you have anything to add to this story, contact Larry Blustein at LBlustein@mslmanagement.com.

 

 

 

 

Evansville All-Stars Shine as East Tops West in First UIF All-Star Game

Evansville BlueCats All-Stars Deion Holts, John Winchester, and AJ Bryant took part in the first United Indoor Football (UIF) Casey’s All-Star Classic last week in Bloomington, Illinois. The three BlueCats All-Stars were all named as starters for the UIF Eastern Conference squad, and helped lead a relentless defensive attack as the Eastern Conference team went on to a convincing 49-25 victory over their Western Conference rivals. Defensive back AJ Bryant and linebacker John Winchester each recorded 4 total tackles in the game while defensive end Deion Holts was credited with 3 total tackles, a half tackle for loss, and a pass break up. The highlight of the game for the BlueCats All-Stars was AJ Bryant’s spectacular interception and interception return at the end of the second quarter. With no time remaining in the first half, Bryant intercepted a pass in the endzone from Billings quarterback Chris Dixon before juking and breaking tackles for an exciting 43 yard return until finally being tripped up a few yards shy of reaching the endzone for a touchdown. The Eastern Conference cruised to a 29-6 lead at the half and held on for the win in front of 4,500 fans at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The Eastern Conference team was led by starting quarterback and UIF All-Star game MVP Dusty Burk from the Bloomington Extreme. Burk was 6-7 passing for 61 yards passing for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Burk also rushed for 10 yards and another touchdown. Other contributors to the Eastern Conference offense included Lexington running back Rayshawn Askew who ran for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns. Four different receivers caught passes for the Eastern Conference, Ohio Valley’s Willie Austin and Demetrius Wilbert, Bloomington’s James Walton, and Lexington’s Harry Lewis, each scoring one touchdown apiece. The All-Star game capped off a week of events surrounding the Casey’s All-Star Classic, including a Kid’s Camp, Fan Fest, the UIF Awards Banquet, and UIF Player Combine. League office officials announced the starters for the All-Star game and handed out other season awards on Thursday night’s UIF Awards Banquet. Among the award winners was Evansville BlueCats “FinHeads” Booster Club President Mike Horn. Mike was honored as the first ever recipient of the “Spirit of the UIF Award” which was given to the person who best embodies the spirit and mission of United Indoor Football through their service and positive impact on their team and league. Mike will receive a plaque in recognition of this honor.

 

 

 

 

 

Holts, Winchester, Bryant Selected to 2007 All-Star Team

The Evansville BlueCats are excited to announce that three members of the 2007 Evansville BlueCats professional indoor football team have been named to the UIF Eastern Conference All-Star team. All three players come from the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end Deion Holts, linebacker John Winchester, and defensive back AJ Bryant were selected to the squad which was voted on by fans, coaches, and the media. The Eastern Conference All-Star team will face the Western Conference All-Stars in the UIF All-Star game on Saturday, August 18, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois. Evansville BlueCats Head Coach John Hart said, “These three guys have had outstanding seasons for us and I can’t emphasize enough what their talents, contributions, and leadership have meant to our team. They are without a doubt three of the best players in the league and deserve the opportunity to represent the BlueCats and the city of Evansville in the All-Star game. It’s a fantastic opportunity for these young men to participate in something like this and I know they’ll do well in Bloomington.” Defensive end Deion Holts returned to the Evansville BlueCats this season after playing in the final six games of the 2006 season. Holts started at defensive end in all 15 games in 2007 and finished second on the team with 64 tackles, which led the league among all defensive linemen. He led the UIF Eastern Conference in tackles for loss (20.5), sacks (10), and forced fumbles (3) setting new team records in all three categories. Holts also set a new league record after being credited with 3 safeties this season. He scored his first career touchdown earlier this season when he returned an on-side for a touchdown against the Ohio Valley Greyhounds and he was honored as UIF Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 13 against the Lexington Horsemen. Linebacker John Winchester has been named to the All-Star team for the second year in row. Last seasons UIF Defensive Rookie of the Year returned to the Evansville in Week 5 this season after recovering from a knee injury. In 11 games this season, Winchester racked up 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 15 against the Ohio Valley Greyhounds when he recovered a fumble in end zone on his way to being named UIF Defensive Player of the Week. Winchester holds numerous team single season and career records including tackles and tackles for loss. Defensive back AJ Bryant led the Eastern Conference with an amazing eight interceptions and 88 interception return yards in 2007. Bryant returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns with one of the returns going for 50 yards, which tied the league record. Bryant led the team in tackles (71) and pass break ups (10), and also recorded 5 tackles for loss. His interceptions and interception return yards are new single season team records. Bryant made one pass attempt this season, which was good for a 32-yard touchdown completion against the Omaha Beef, and he made one pass reception this season, good for an 11-yard touchdown against the Rock River Raptors. AJ Bryant was named UIF Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2007 (Week 11, Week 16) and received Defensive Player of the Week “Honorable Mention” recognition in Week 4. The Evansville BlueCats would like to congratulate Deion, John, AJ for their being named to the 2007 UIF All-Star team. For the complete list of 2007 UIF All-Stars, please visit the league website at www.unitedindoorfootball.com. For more information on the Evansville, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com .