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IFL Iowa Barnstormers

Barnstormers Introduce 2023 Roster

March 20, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - After completing a competitive 2-week Training Camp, the Iowa Barnstormers have finalized their 25-man roster for the 2023 season.

"As a coaching staff we are extremely excited about our 25-man roster leading into this season," said Head Coach Mogensen. "We like the mixture of experienced players and rookies and we feel we have made improvements where we needed to in order to find a way to play longer than we did in 2022."

The 2023 roster includes ten returning players from last season's team. Darius-James Peterson returns as quarterback to lead the team. He is joined on offense by running back Antonio Wimbush. Both Peterson and Wimbush had breakout rookie seasons in 2022.

Linebacker Ian McBorrough returns to lead the defense in his second season with the Barnstormers. He brings with him returning defensive linemen Jordon Beaton, Dave Calderon, and Christopher Robinson along with defensive backs Titus Howard, Justic'e King, and D'Vaughn Whitt.

Kicker Gabriel Rui also returns for his third season as an Iowa Barnstormer.

With so many returning players, the Barnstormers coaching staff was able to manage a much smoother and more productive Training Camp than the season before.

"The biggest difference is the speed of improvement each day," said Coach Mogensen. "Last year, with so many first year players we took smaller steps each day, but this camp with so many returning players and veterans we were able to lean on them to help lead the way and the steps we took each day were bigger. We feel we are in a better spot entering 2023."

In addition to players returning from last season, a handful of veterans join the Barnstormers in 2023. Veteran defensive back Tyrell Pearson makes his return to Des Moines after a brief hiatus. Pearson appeared with the Iowa Barnstormers during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and played a crucial part in the Barnstormers 2018 Championship Victory before signing with the Arizona Rattlers. He returns to the 2023 season looking for another Championship. He is joined on defense by another veteran defensive back, EJ Johnson, who previously wore a San Diego Strike Force uniform.

On offense, veteran wide receiver Laquvionte "Speedy" Gonzalez joins the Barnstormers after previously playing for the Massachusetts Pirates and offensive lineman Eric Janeau, Jr. brings experience to the team after playing for the Green Bay Blizzard.

The final roster includes 11 rookies who will make their indoor football debut on the road against the Vegas Knight Hawks on Saturday, March 25. On the offense, rookie quarterback Zach Reader from Upper Iowa University has earned his goggles and will be joined on the offense by rookie wide receivers Derek Kumerow, Bralon Robinson, Caleb Smith, and Nate Stewart. Also joining the offense are rookie offensive linemen Joe Bastante, Kurt Huff, and Tyler Weterrings.

On defense, two rookie defensive lineman have earned their goggles for the 2023 season in Carl Igweh and Woo Scott, while Freddie McGee III will join the defensive back core.

"The IFL is a developmental league," said Mogensen. "The best teams, championship teams year in and year out, get a lot of production from their rookies. We have some very impressive first year players and look forward to getting championship level production from many of them."

The Iowa Barnstormers will hit the road to take on the Vegas Knight Hawks on Saturday, March 25 at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson Nevada. Kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Fans can tune into the game on the Indoor Football League's Official YouTube Channel.

"We have some familiar names and faces and some new ones that will become familiar very quickly," said Mogensen. "Our guys are so excited to finally "get their goggles" as official Barnstormers and can't wait to show the fans and the league what they can do. The energy from this team, so far, has been incredible. I expect these men to play with great passion, which should get Wells Fargo Arena rocking for home games."

The full 2023 roster can be found here:

1 - Laquvionte Gonzalez, WR

2 - Caleb Smith, WR

4 - Darius-James Peterson, QB

5 - Ian McBorrough, LB

6 - Antonio Wimbush, RB

7 - Tyrell Pearson, DB

8 - Woo Scott, DL

9 - Zach Reader, QB

10 - Gabriel Rui, K

11 - Derek Kumerow, WR

12 - EJ Johnson, DB

14 - Christopher Robinson, DL

15 - D'Vaughn Whitt, DB

16 - Bralon Robinson, WR

17 - Justic'e King, DB

18 - Nate Stewart, WR

21 - Titus Howard, DB

22 - Dave Calderon, DL

23 - Freddie McGee, DB

24 - Jordon Beaton, DL

52 - Kurt Huff, OL

54 - Joe Bastante, OL

70 - Eric Janeau, Jr., OL

71 - Tyler Weterrings, OL

99 - Carl Igweh, DL

The Iowa Barnstormers final roster announcement is presented by AmericInn by Wyndham.

The Iowa Barnstormers will return to Wells Fargo Arena for their 2023 home opener on Saturday, April 22. Season Tickets remain on sale for as low as $128 per seat. Don't miss a minute of the action! For more information, call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255 or log on to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.



Indoor Football League Stories from March 20, 2023


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.

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