Destroyers sign five to kick off AFL free agent signing period

Published on October 3, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Destroyers have signed wide receiver/linebacker Steve Sanders, wide receiver/defensive back Cole Magner, fullback/linebacker Brian Thornburg, offensive/defensive lineman Will Rabatin and offensive/defensive lineman Chad Ruffin, Head Coach Doug Kay announced today. Monday marked the first day of the Arena Football League's free agency signing period.

Sanders (6-3, 201, Bowling Green) will enter his rookie campaign in the AFL in 2007. The East H.S. (Cleveland, Ohio) product played four seasons with the Falcons from 2002-05. He caught 156 passes for 2,324 yards and 24 touchdowns in 49 games played. The wide receiver also rushed eight times for 82 yards and one touchdown. After signing with the Cleveland Browns in April and participating in the club's rookie camp in May, he was released during training camp.

Magner (6-2, 196, Bowling Green) played in two preseason games with the Atlanta Falcons in 2005. The Palmer, Alaska native played for the Falcons from 2001-04 and caught 215 passes for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns. He carried the ball 57 times for 282 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2003, Magner and Sanders played with current Destroyers quarterback Josh Harris during one of Bowling Green's best football seasons to date. The Falcons posted a record of 11-3, including a 28-24 win over Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl.

Thornburg (6-3, 260, Gardner Webb) spent his 2006 season with the Louisville Fire of the af2. Suiting up in 14 contests, he carried the ball five times for 19 yards and caught one pass for 19 yards. At Gardner Webb (2000-04), Thornburg is 10th on the all-time sacks list with 15. After a senior season that saw him make nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss, he was named to the Big South Conference Second-Team.

Rabatin (6-2, 296, Louisville) also played for the Louisville Fire of the af2. Starting 11 games the center from the University of Louisville anchored an offensive line that protected af2 Rookie of the Year quarterback Brett Dietz.

Ruffin (6-0, 290, Southern Mississippi) played his first AFL season with the Tulsa Talons of the af2 . He tallied 14 tackles, eight sacks totaling a loss of 47 yards and forced three fumbles. Ruffin attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he played on the defensive line for three seasons (2001-03) and garnered 92 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, two sacks and one fumble recovery.

Columbus Destroyers season tickets for the 2007 season are now available by calling (614) 246-HITS or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 3, 2006


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