Axemen Acquire All-IFL Reciever; Sign Veteran DB
December 13, 2013 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Minnesota Axemen News Release
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Axemen are pleased to announce the team has acquired wide receiver Ryan Balentine in a trade from the Green Bay Blizzard in return for future considerations. Last season, Balentine received 2nd Team All-Indoor Football League honors after finishing second in the league in receptions (74) and third in the league in receiving yards (834).
Balentine (6'1", 180 lbs.) attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he recorded 65 receptions for 883 yards and eight touchdowns throughout his collegiate career. Balentine led the nation in yards-after-catch and helped lead the Golden Eagles to a Conference USA championship his senior year.
The team also signed Hawkinsville, GA native DeQuan Starling (5'10", 185 lbs.). Starling joins the Axemen after signing with the Green bay Blizzard after the season started. In his first season in the Indoor Football League, Starling appeared in five games for the Blizzard, recording 12 tackles and three pass breakups, before missing the final few games due to injury.
Starling played collegiately at Marshall University. While playing for the Thundering Herd, Starling record 230 tackles, 12 interceptions, seven-and-a-half tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and 37 pass break ups.
Balentine and Starling join Maurice Hampton as former Blizzard players now playing for the Axemen.
"We're very excited to get these two young men in Axemen uniforms for the upcoming season. Both of these guys played for me before and understand my expectations on and off the field," Axemen head coach Robert Fuller stated. "They both have game changing ability and instantly make us better. In order to be successful in this league, you have to have a good mix of veteran players that understand the nuances of the game to help the rookies get up to speed, we get that with Ryan and Quan. These guys are tenacious competitors on the field."
Indoor Football League Stories from December 13, 2013
- Axemen Acquire All-IFL Reciever; Sign Veteran DB - Minnesota Axemen
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