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AFL Cleveland Gladiators

Cleveland Gladiators Announce 2016 Free Agent Combine

November 3, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Gladiators will hold their open Free Agent Combine on Saturday, December 5th at the newly renovated Lost Nation Sports Park West in Lorain, Ohio, the team announced today. Registration will begin at 8:00 am with tryouts to take place from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. The entry fee for Saturday's tryouts is $80 cash only for payments on the day of the tryout, or $75 for early-bird registration online. All participants at this year's tryouts will receive an official free agent combine t-shirt. To register online for 2016 Cleveland Gladiators Free Agent Combine, click HERE

"Our open tryouts have given our staff a great look at many players who may not have received as much attention as other players," said Gladiators Head Coach Steve Thonn. "We are always looking for that potential diamond in the rough - that player that can come in and really help the Gladiators. We have signed quite a few tryout players over the last few years, so any players participating should come ready to work."

Current Cleveland Gladiator and local product, WR Josiah Holt (Baldwin Wallace), was one of over 100 players who participated in the Gladiators' open tryout last December. "My mindset going into the tryout was to stay completely focused on my game," explained Holt. "I didn't want to get caught up in what other guys were doing because I knew if I stayed true to me, I would open some eyes...I had the confidence in myself to feel comfortable."

After receiving an invitation to Gladiators training camp, Holt was signed by the Gladiators and added to Cleveland's active roster and on August 8th, in the team's home finale against the Philadelphia Soul, Holt made his AFL debut, hauling in two catches for 33 yards. "Being able to make my debut in a home game against Philadelphia was amazing," Holt said. "I had so many people come out and support me...It was a blessing to just be in uniform again and playing football."

This year's tryouts will feature traditional combine testing drills which include the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, broad jump and the L drill. Participants will also be placed into position and group-specific drills. Players must wear comfortable athletic shorts and a t-shirt. The tryout surface will be field turf, so turf shoes or molded bottom cleats are required. No track spikes will be permitted.

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