IFL Iowa Barnstormers

Barnstormers Introduce 2024 Roster

March 20, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - Following a tumultuous season riddled with injury, the Iowa Barnstormers are ready to start 2024 with a clean slate.

Head Coach Dave Mogensen was looking for players who entered Training Camp ready to work, were able to adapt to the speed of the indoor game, and could pick up on his systems quickly. After completing the competitive two-week camp, the Barnstormers finalized their 25-man roster.

"The atmosphere at camp was what I expected it to be after our pre-season meetings," said Coach Mogensen. "Guys were locked in from day one. Our group of guys is highly motivated to be successful as a team and personally this year, spreading the kind of attitude a team needs to facilitate success."

The 2024 roster includes six returning players from last season's team. Darius-James Peterson returns at quarterback after an early injury ended his 2023 season. Returning with him to the offense are linemen Joe Bastante and Toryque Bateman. On defense, Ian McBorrough returns at linebacker for his third season with the team along with veteran defensive back Tyrell Pearson. Fan favorite kicker Gabriel Rui returns for his fourth season as a Barnstormer.

Veterans Christian Russell (linebacker), Victor Hampton (defensive back), and Tre Long (wide receiver) bring experience to the roster along with Simeon Gatling (defensive back) who has one season of IFL experience under his belt after playing with the Arizona Rattlers in 2023.

The remainder of the roster is made up of fresh faces entering their rookie indoor football season.

"It's been proven over the last few years that the most successful teams in the IFL get high level production from rookies," said Coach Mogensen. "Each of the last three IFL Champions had a plethora of rookies playing key roles on their title runs. We will have 14 or 15 guys playing their first ever professional game in Green Bay, but this year more than ever I am confident in their ability to hit the ground running."

On defense, Tyler Tate (defensive lineman), Kaleb Brewer (defensive lineman), Chuck Manning (defensive lineman), Arthur Randall (defensive lineman), Jefferson Fritz (defensive back), J'Von France (defensive back), and Mark Carter (defensive back) made the cut.

On offense, newcomers Kyle King (quarterback), Richard Gaskins (offensive lineman), Kristopher Stroughter (offensive lineman), Taeyler Porter (running back), Robert Washington (running back), Quian Williams (wide receiver), UNI alum Deion McShane (wide receiver), and Iowa State alum Darren Wilson (wide receiver) have earned their goggles.

"This group of rookies isn't a prototypical group," said Coach Mogensen. "Several of them have experience from NFL camps and CFL or UFL camps. They've seen football at the highest level and are eager to perform well here to get back to that level of football. I believe we have some rookies that are going to turn some heads beginning this weekend."

The 2024 Iowa Barnstormers will hit the road this weekend and debut brand new uniforms as they take on the Green Bay Blizzard in the season opener.

"We have brought together a talented group and we check every box right now," said Coach Mogensen. "We have tremendous size up front, extremely aggressive and strong defensive line, elite athletes at defensive back and wide receiver, and a pair of running backs as good as anyone in the league. Getting off the bus we will look good, but in the IFL nobody cares how you look, so we need to bring everything together to find success."

Fans can tune in to the game this Saturday, March 23 at 6:05 p.m. on the Indoor Football League's YouTube or Caffeine. Live updates will be posted to the team's X account, @iabarnstormers.

The Iowa Barnstormers 2024 Training Camp is presented by MVP DSM, AmericInn by Wyndham, and Montana Mike's Steakhouse.

The full 2024 roster can be found here:

1 - Tre Long, WR

2 - Deion McShane, WR

3 - Quian Williams, WR

4 - Darius-James Peterson, QB

5 - Ian McBorrough, LB

6 - Taeyler Porter, RB

7 - Tyrell Pearson, DB

8 - Darren Wilson, WR

9 - Simeon Gatling, DB

10 - Gabriel Rui, K

11 - Robert Washington, RB

12 - Jefferson Fritz, DB

15 - J'Von France, DB

17 - Kyle King, QB

18 - Ty Tate, DL

20 - Christian Russell, LB

21 - Victor Hampton, DB

22 - Mark Carter, DB

33 - Arthur Randall, DL

44 - Kaleb Brewer, DL

54 - Joe Bastante, OL

72 - Toryque Bateman, OL

77 - Richard Gaskins, OL

78 - Kristopher Stroughter, OL

93 - Chuckwumeka Manning, DL



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