Sharks Activate Vernon, Caroll on Wednesday
Published on July 4, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE - The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks made a pair of roster moves Wednesday, announcing that offensive lineman Josh Vernon has been activated from injured reserve, while defensive lineman Andre Caroll has been activated from the "refused to report" list. Both players will be eligible to compete in the Sharks' upcoming game against the Milwaukee Mustangs, which kicks off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 6.
Vernon, 24, started seven of the team's first eight games this season before being placed on injured reserve following the team's Week 10 contest against the Philadelphia Soul. Vernon has made five starts at center and two at fullback, also serving as the team's long snapper. Utilized almost exclusively as a blocker, Vernon does have two carries for four yards this season.
An AFL rookie, Vernon played college football at TCU before beginning his professional career. He anchored the right side of the Horned Frog offensive line during 2009 and 2010, starting 24 of the team's 26 games in those two years. During his junior year the TCU offensive line allowed just 0.92 sacks per game, ranking sixth nationally in the category. Vernon started all 13 games during the 2010 season, helping lead TCU to a 13-0 season that included a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin.
Caroll, 23, joins the Sharks after spending training camp with the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Caroll recorded a sack in the Blue Bombers' preseason opener on June 14, but was released by the team on June 22. Caroll was originally assigned to the Sharks' 2012 roster on October 17, 2011.
Before entering the professional ranks, Caroll played collegiately at Delaware State. A three-year-starter at the school, Caroll led the Hornets with 56 tackles as a junior in 2009. That season, he also led the team with 7.0 tackles for loss and ranked third with 2.5 sacks. As a senior, Caroll stepped his game up even further. Again leading the team in tackles (96) and tackles for loss (13.5), he finished second on the team with four sacks and also forced two fumbles, notched a pair of fumble recoveries and recorded an interception. Caroll is a native of Neptune, NJ.
The activation of Caroll and Vernon fills the two roster spots created when defensive lineman Jabari Fletcher was placed on team suspension Monday and wide receiver Bobby Sewall was placed on league suspension Wednesday. Following Wednesday's transactions, the Jacksonville roster currently stands at the AFL maximum of 24 active players.
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