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Outlaws Pick Up 13 in AFL Expansion Draft

December 22, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Las Vegas Outlaws News Release


LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Outlaws added 13 more players to the team's inaugural roster in the AFL Expansion Draft on Monday, headlined by 2014 First Team All-Arena linebacker Tanner Varner.

Varner (6-0, 205, Northern Iowa) was the top overall selection in the Draft. He logged 68 tackles and five interceptions in 18 games with the Orlando Predators last season. The five-year pro also collected four forced fumbles and a pair of touchdowns on the year, en route to being named No. 46 on the Top 50 Players of 2014 countdown, as voted on by AFL players. For his career, the Jack linebacker has tallied 321.5 tackles, 44 pass breakups, and 24 interceptions.

In the second round, Las Vegas selected rookie defensive end Ernest Owusu of the San Jose Sabercats.

Owusu (6-4, 270, California) was assigned to the SaberCats in June but did not see any game action with the team last season. Before turning pro, he played in 42 games with 18 starts at Cal, recording 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five passes defensed and one forced fumble over four seasons with the Bears. He has also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Edmonton Eskimos.

The Outlaws added an anchor to their offensive line in the third round with the addition of second-year center Abe Markowitz from the Portland Thunder.

Markowitz (6-1, 305, USC) was an eight-game starter for the Thunder in 2014. Before turning pro, he played center and guard at the University of Southern California.

Las Vegas selected another rookie pass rusher in the fourth round, as the team scooped up defensive end Julius Williams from the Philadelphia Soul.

Williams (6-2, 265, Connecticut) was originally assigned to the San Jose Sabercats in 2014 before being traded to the Soul midway through the year, but did not see game action with either team. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the spring of 2009 and was one of the only two undrafted free agents to make the opening day roster. In his rookie season, he was activated for 11 games and started at defensive end for one game. In April of 2011, Williams signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL where he had 15 starts and recorded 20 tackles, five sacks and a tackle for loss.

In round five, the Outlaws added defensive back Donovan Henley from the Arizona Rattlers.

Henley (5-10, 180, Idaho State) saw action in one postseason game as a rookie for the ArenaBowl champions last season. He began collegiate career at Glendale Community College before transferring to Idaho State, where he earned honorable mention All-Big Sky recognition as a junior.

The Outlaws continued to beef up their defensive line with the addition of nose guard B.J. Bell from the LA KISS in round six.

Bell (6-3, 265, UNLV), who played in town collegiately at UNLV, started 17 games as a rookie with the KISS last season. One of the key figures on the squad's AMC docuseries, 4th and Loud, Bell collected 13.5 tackles and five sacks in 2014.

Wide receiver Maurice Williams of the Jacksonville Sharks went to the Outlaws in round seven.

Williams (6-1, 195, Pittsburgh), a three-year veteran of the AFL, caught 38 passes for 499 yards and nine touchdowns splitting time between the Sharks and LA KISS last season. For his career, the former Pitt Panther has logged 77 receptions for 1,036 yards and 21 touchdowns in the AFL.

Offensive lineman Jeff Nady of the San Jose Sabercats was selected in round eight by Las Vegas.

Nady (6-6, 315, Nevada) appeared in nine games with the SaberCats as a rookie last season. He was All-WAC selection at Nevada in 2011.

The Outlaws added a receiver and kick return specialist with their ninth pick, selecting Orlando Predators wide receiver Gerald Young.

Young (5-10, 170, Charleston Southern) tallied 1,143 yards from scrimmage as a rookie with the Preds in 2014. Before turning pro, Young was a three-time All-Conference selection and member of the Big South Conference All-Decade Team at Charleston Southern.

Center Will Wright of the Arizona Rattlers was selected in round ten.

Wright (6-2, 315, West Georgia) did not see any game action with the Rattlers last season. He earned Lindy's Preseason All-American honors prior to the 2013 season at West Georgia.

Rookie wide receiver Bert Reed of the Jacksonville Sharks was selected in the 11th round.

Reed (5-11, 180, Florida State) did not suit up for the Sharks in 2014 but finished his collegiate career ranked fourth on the Seminoles' all-time list with 170 career receptions. He totaled 2,022 career receiving yards, making him one of just 12 players to break the 2,000-yard threshold at the school.

The Outlaws returned to the defensive line in the 12th round, adding Cleveland Gladiators defensive end Robert Rose.

Rose (6-5, 300, Ohio State) recorded 8.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 10 games as a rookie with the Gladiators last season. He was a four-year letterman for the Buckeyes prior to turning pro.

Las Vegas finished off the Expansion Draft with the selection of defensive back Dion Turner from the Portland Thunder.

Turner (6-0, 200, Southern Utah) did not see any game action with the Thunder as a rookie. He started 32 of 33 games over his final three seasons at Southern Utah, recording 192 tackles and three interceptions.



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