Blaze Make Strong Showing in AFL's Top 25
July 20, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - When all was said and done, three Utah Blaze players found themselves ranked on the Arena Football League's list of the Top 25 Players of 2012. Ultra-productive quarterback Tommy Grady earned the top overall spot on the list, while two of his dynamic wide receivers landed close behind.
Subscribers to AFL Field Pass, the official fan club of the Arena Football League, were charged with the task of deciding the Top 25 Players of the 2012 regular season. During Week 19 of the AFL season, the League office collected ballots from members and tallied the votes. The results were divided into five segments, beginning with numbers 21-25 and ending with the announcement of the Top 5 Players of 2012 on Friday night.
The first Blaze player to land on the list was scorching-hot rookie wideout Tysson Poots, who came in at No. 13 on Wednesday night. The following evening, touchdown machine Aaron Lesue was announced as the ninth-ranked player on the list. Grady finally learned on Friday night that the fans had voted him as the best player in the Arena Football League for the 2012 regular season.
"It's really an honor," said Grady. "The fans make this game and to know that they voted me this high is very humbling. I really appreciate the support, but I'm most proud of the fact that two of my receivers were voted to the list as well. I wouldn't be able to do it without them."
Grady (6-7, 245, Utah) has already set single-season AFL records for passing touchdowns and completions. He needs just 173 passing yards and three pass attempts to surpass previous all-time marks in those respective categories as well. In total, Grady has gained 5,579 yards with 137 touchdowns and 20 interceptions on 483-of-701 passing (68.9%), adding 62 yards and seven more scores on 38 carries. He is a candidate for numerous League awards, including Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year and National Guard MVP of the Year.
As Grady's favorite target, Lesue (5-10, 195, Utah State) has been lighting up opposing defenses all season long. He's near the top of every receiving and scoring chart, and has already set a new single-season franchise record for touchdown receptions. In 2012, Lesue has compiled 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and 53 touchdowns. He's a candidate for the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year award and the Cutters Receiver of the Year award.
Poots has burst onto the scene in his rookie season, quickly proving himself a valiant receiving threat. Despite playing in just 10 games, he's already amassed 98 receptions for 1,072 yards and 28 touchdowns. Poots ranks second in the AFL in receptions per game (9.80), fifth in receiving yards per game (107.2) and seventh in scoring (17.6 ppg). He's a strong contender for the NET10 Rookie of the Year award.
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