Destroyers Protected Players

Published on April 6, 2011 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Virginia Destroyers News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Wednesday, April 6 - The first-ever UFL Virginia Destroyers football team roster is taking shape. Head Coach and General Manager, Marty Schottenheimer, selected 40 players the team will retain rights to for the upcoming 2011 season. The players were members of the Florida Tuskers team that competed in last season's UFL championship game.

Newport News Virginia native and former University of Virginia linebacker Darryl Blackstock is on the protected players list. Darryl signed with the Tuskers on November 2, 2010 and played in the last 3 regular-season games and the UFL Championship Game. He had two solo tackles during the regular season, and an assist in the UFL Championship Game. Darryl played four years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals. He played for Heritage High School in Newport News.

Coach Schottenheimer says he is happy with the quality of players the team is protecting. "We've got a solid foundation of players, and I think those who were here before, they know how to win football games in the UFL. Over the course of the next couple of months, we'll continue to build our roster through the draft and open and private workouts."

The protected player list can be found at: www.ufl-football.com/virginia-destroyers/player-roster.

Other players on the Destroyers protected list include:

Anthony Davis

Offensive Tackle

Virginia Tech

Davis started all 14 regular-season games and both UFL Championship Games for the Tuskers in 2009 and 2010 at left guard.

Patrick Chukwurah

Defensive End

University of Wyoming

Chukwurah finished second in the UFL with 5 1/2 sacks last year. In 2009, he tied for the UFL lead with three sacks, and had 20 total tackles. Chukwurah fought through injuries in both seasons to be one of the league's top sack artists

Odell Thurman

Linebacker

University of Georgia

Thurman led the Tuskers with 36 total tackles despite missing time due to injury last season. He also forced two fumbles and had an interception. Thurman started Florida's first six games at right outside linebacker in 2010. He started all six regular-season games and the UFL Championship Game at left outside linebacker in 2009, leading the Tuskers with 37 total tackles.

Calvin Russell

Wide Receiver

Tuskegee Institute

Russell made the team after attending one of the Tuskers' open player tryouts in summer of 2010. He was second on the team with 22 catches, tied for first in the UFL with three touchdown catches and fourth in the league in receiving yards with 365



United Football League Stories from April 6, 2011


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