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Columbus Destroyers Add Four Key Free Agents For 2008

November 13, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2007 National Conference champion Columbus Destroyers signed free agent defensive back Nate Coggins, defensive lineman Gillis Wilson and offensive linemen Jacob Hobbs and Eric Graham, Head Coach Doug Kay announced today. As is club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Coggins (6-1, 215, West Georgia) will be entering his fourth season in the Arena Football League in 2008. In 33 career AFL games he has tallied 223 tackles (197UT-52AT), 23 pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. The Atlanta, Ga. native, played with current Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy with the Georgia Force (2005-06) where the two won a National Conference title in 2005. At West Georgia he was named the 2001 Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He left WGU as the school's all-time leader in tackles (416), fumble recoveries (nine) and consecutive games started (46).

Wilson (6-2, 285, Southern University) will be entering his fifth season in the AFL. The defensive lineman has played in 55 career AFL games with the Georgia Force (2004-06), Kansas City Brigade (2006) and Grand Rapids Rampage (2007). The Patterson, La. native has accumulated 76.5 tackles (52UT-49AT), 12 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defended. Wilson was selected in the 5th round (147th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. The defensive lineman saw action with the Panthers and New York Giants in 2001 and Arizona Cardinals in 2002.

Hobbs (6-6, 300, Albany) will look to make the Destroyers as a rookie offensive lineman this season. At the University of Albany, the Schenectady, N.Y. native was named first-team All-Northeast Conference after his senior season in 2006.

Graham (6-5, 326, East Carolina) was signed and released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this NFL season. A native of Jacksonville, N.C., he started 34-of-40 games at East Carolina University on the offensive line. In 2006, he was named All-Conference USA by the coaches and media.

Deposits are being accepted now for 2008 Destroyers season tickets. Call 1-877-COLS-AFL for further details on season ticket offers. For other Destroyers information, visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com.

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