Breaking Down the Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Position: AFL East and AFL West

February 19, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1) News Release

Ironman football dictates that wide receivers will also be expected to double as defensive backs. This is a unique feature that tests the ability of even the most skilled at their position. Now, they will be tested on both sides of the ball. Not all will play both ways, but more will than won't.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most notable players who will be designated as the WR/DB for their teams. Many have played both ways already. Some will get a taste of Ironman football for the first time this season.

AFL West

Washington Wolfpack

Brandon Wellington Measurables: University of Washington 6-0, 225 Stats: 118 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 fumble return TD

Wellington appeared in 48 total games over the course of his college career. He played in all 14 contests his freshman season, including the Pac-12 Championship game versus Colorado. Wellington posted his best numbers during his senior season, racking up 68 total tackles and both of his career touchdowns.

He went on to sign with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the active roster in two seasons under contract.

Wesley Gray Measurables: Western Oregon University 6-2, 205 Stats: 2019 Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks - 13 REC, 498 yards, 8 TD

Gray started his college career at Butte Community College, the same California school that produced Aaron Rodgers. In 2014, he transferred to Western Oregon as a redshirt freshman. His best statistical year came in his junior season, in which he caught 25 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown.

He has spent time in the arena game as a member of the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks of the American West Football Conference. Gray was a part of the team's inaugural season and its most successful as a franchise. In 2023, Gray earned All AFWC honors.

Darryll Thompson Measurables: College of Brockport 5-8, 180 Stats: 21 REC, 445 yards, 3 TD

Thompson started playing college football at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. In seven games there, he collected 15 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns. After a second season at Hudson Valley, he transferred to Texas A&M Commerce. The following season, he finished his college career at Brockport. As a Golden Eagles receiver, he registered 21 catches for 516 yards and three touchdowns.

The veteran wideout brings with him several years of arena football experience. He has spent time in the AFL with the Portland Steel, the Spokane Shock, and the Philadelphia Soul. Thompson won an NAL championship in 2017 with the Jacksonville Sharks.

Oregon Blackbears

Bryce Goggin Measurables: Southern Oregon University 6-3, 210 Stats: 96 REC, 1369 yards, 12 TD

Goggin put together a solid college career at Southern Oregon. His best statistical output happened during the 2021 season, in which he caught 51 passes for 802 yards and 8 touchdowns. He would go on to add 43 more catches, 551 yards, and 4 touchdowns the following season.

He will reunite with quarterback Connor Kaegi in Oregon this season. The two played together for the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League. In 13 games last season, Goggin caught 69 passes for 1,113 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was inside the top 10 in the league across all statistical categories.

Nick Brassell Measurables: Ole Miss 6-1, 180 Stats: 2022 Bay Area Panthers 28 total tackles, 2 INT

Brassell has several seasons of arena football experience and has earned the attention of the Toronto Argonauts over the course of his career. The veteran defensive back has played for the Nebraska Danger and the Cedar Rapids River Kings of the Indoor Football League.

Most recently, Brassell was a member of the 2022 Bay Area Panthers of the IFL. He was invited to join the team for the 2020 season. However, the league was forced to suspend due to COVID-19 and the team did not play. Last season, he played for the Albany Empire of the NAL.

Jordan Pouncey Measurables: University of Florida 6-1, 217 Stats: 3 REC, 31 yards, 1 TD

Pouncey brings his cowboy hat to Oregon along with a passion for the game that more than makes up for his lack of stats on the field. The Florida native committed to Notre Dame out of high school before signing with Texas and ultimately transferring back home to Florida to play with the Gators.

His most notable reception came in the 2020 Cotton Bowl, in which he and Anthony Richardson connected on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Former teammates praise Pouncey for his motivation and his leadership in the locker room.

AFL East

Albany Firebirds

Marquel Wade Measurables: Arkansas 5-10, 190 Stats: 2023 Jacksonville Sharks 14 REC, 227 yards, 4 TD

Wade has built a successful arena football career and is coming off of a championship run with the Jacksonville Sharks of the NAL. He has also played for the Nebraska Danger of the IFL as well as the Cedar Rapids River Kings and the Spokane Shock. The former Razorback wideout hauled in two touchdowns in last season's NAL title game. He had scored two in a previous playoff game after sitting out for a month due to injury.

Despite a rocky start to his football career due to various infractions, Wade continues to perform at a high level and has earned All-IFL honors as both a wide receiver and a kick returner.

Jared Harrell Measurables: UC Davis 6-2, 192 Stats: 163 REC, 2,155 yards, 16 TD

Harrell enjoyed a productive college career on his way to the AFL. The young wideout became just the ninth player in UC Davis history to accumulate more than 2,000 receiving yards. His 163 receptions also puts him firmly inside of the top 10 in school history. Harrell earned All-Big Sky Conference Honors both on the field and in the classroom.

Arthur Hobbs Measurables: Nebraska-Kearney 5-10, 190 Stats: 2023 San Antonio Gunslingers 34 total tackles, 2 fumbles recovered, 2 int

Hobbs has found himself on various rosters across several forms of football in his 12-year career. In 2012, he was signed by the San Diego Chargers after going undrafted. He was placed on the practice squad in December of that same season.

From there, he went on to register 34 total tackles and 2 interceptions in the CFL as a member of the 2013 Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Since then, he made stops with the Orlando Predators (AFL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Tampa Bay Storm (AFL), Albany Empire (AFL), Atlantic City Blackjacks (AFL), Albany Empire (NAL), and the San Antonio Gunslingers (NAL).

Minnesota Myth

Brian Sandifer Measurables: University of Wisconsin-Stout 6-4, 215 Stats: 49 REC, 785 yards, 10 TD

Sandifer played at the quarterback position in high school, racking up over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. The former two-sports star switched to receiver in college, where he went on to catch at least one pass in all nine of his outings during his senior season. The young wideout was invited to the 2020 XFL draft pool. He was also signed by the Bay Area Panthers of the IFL before the 2022 season.

Isiah Malone Measurables: Augsburg University 5-10, 165 _Stats: 166 total tackles, 10 INT, 3 fumbles recovered _

Malone made at least 10 appearances in each of his four seasons in college. He was tied for third in the MIAC in interceptions during his senior season. That same year, he earned All-Conference Second Team Defense Honors.

Nashville Kats

Marquise Irvin Measurables: Mercer University 6-2, 210 Stats: 2023 Green Bay Blizzard 63 REC, 782 yards, 13 TD

Irvin enters the league on a high note, earning preseason recognition as one of two to receive the title of AFL Gamebreaker. The former Mercer Bear standout set single-season records in receptions (65), receiving yards (766), and touchdowns (7) in his sophomore year. He broke his own record for receiving yards by posting 814 yards his senior season.

Last season, Irvin led the Blizzard in receiving yards (782) and touchdowns (13). His performance earned him the distinction as the team's offensive MVP as well as second-team all-league honors.

Isaiah Grice Measurables: Averett University 6-3, 175 Stats: 2022 Quad City Steamwheelers 17 REC, 256 yards, 5 TD

Grice increased his performance year-over-year in college, ending his time at Averett with 99 receptions, 1,240 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. He was named the team captain in his junior year. Grice appeared in the IFL Eastern Conference Championship game in 2022, in which he contributed 3 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Philadelphia Soul

Joseph Boykin Measurables: Savannah State University 6-2, 180

Boykin was mainly used as a punt returner in college, recording just one reception for 15 yards his entire career. However, Boykin managed to find success in his second year in the Fan Controlled Football League. He racked up 441 receiving yards on 28 receptions, finding himself at the top of the league in almost every statistical category.

Dom McNeil Measurables: Indiana University-Pennsylvania 5-10, 185 Stats: Iowa Barnstormers 60 REC, 692 yards, 10 TD

McNeil broke out during his redshirt junior season, leading his team in receptions (42), receiving yards (841), and touchdowns (6). All told the young wideout ended his college career with 115 receptions, 2,062 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns. He has spent the last two seasons playing for the Iowa Barnstormers of the IFL and was the team's leading receiver in the 2022 season.

Todd Simmons Measurables: University of Dubuque 6-1, 190 Stats: 42 REC, 548 yards, 4 TD

Simmons averaged just under 55 receiving yards per game in 2022, his only season at Dubuque. His performance earned him an invitation to the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp along with a workout with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. He then signed with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL and was left on the outs after the merger with the USFL.

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