Thunder Add DL Kelly, DB Davis

November 18, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


Portland Thunder DB Oliver Davis
Portland Thunder DB Oliver Davis
(Portland Thunder)

PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder continued to fill out their 2016 roster today, as head coach Andy Olson announced the assignment of both third year defensive lineman Bryson Kelly, and rookie defensive back Oliver Davis this afternoon.

Davis and Kelly join a growing Thunder roster that has seen a total of 16 players added since the beginning of free agency on November 5. AFL teams are permitted to have 35 players under contract entering training camp, cutting down to 24 by camp's end.

Kelly (6-2, 265, Central Washington) enters his third season of AFL play with the Thunder having been a versatile member of the Spokane Shock over the last two seasons.

"Bryson is a big addition to a 24 man roster," Olson said. "He has the ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, and his versatility will certainly give us options."

Bryson saw action on both sides of the ball in 24 career games for Spokane, tallying 27 tackles, with four going for a loss, and three sacks playing defensive tackle for the former AFL club. Kelly was also utilized as a fullback in six games during the 2015 season, carrying the ball 35 times, for 95 yards and seven touchdowns. The Mukilteo, WA native rushed for 1,387 yards on 299 carries with 11 touchdowns in 21 career games at fullback for the Central Washington Wildcats from 2009 to 2010, and has previously spent time with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers.

Davis (5-9, 185, Carson-Newman) will enter his first season in the AFL with the Thunder in 2016. Davis comes to the Thunder having seen action with both the Bemidji Axemen of the IFL and the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the PIFL over the last two years. Oliver totaled 121 tackles and 22 break ups in three seasons for Division II Carson-Newman from 2010 to 2012, and was a two-time all-South Atlantic Conference selection. Davis was also a 2014 training camp invitee with the Cleveland Gladiators.

Transaction News

- Thunder wide receiver Douglas McNeil III has been placed on the AFL's "Other League Exemption List" after re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks this morning. McNeil spent the majority of the 2015 calendar year in the Seahawks' system, but was cut just prior to the start of the 2015 NFL season after playing cornerback for the majority of his snaps during training camp. Douglas has been listed as a receiver for this his second go around with the 2014 Super Bowl Champions.

- League officials gave an estimated training camp start date of mid-February in a statement earlier this week, while also stating the official 2016 schedule will be released shortly.




Images from this story

Portland Thunder Signees Bryson Kelly and Oliver Davis
Portland Thunder Signees Bryson Kelly and Oliver Davis
 Portland Thunder DL Bryson Kelly
Portland Thunder DL Bryson Kelly
 Portland Thunder DB Oliver Davis
Portland Thunder DB Oliver Davis



Arena Football League Stories from November 18, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central