Dusters Gain Defensive Triumvirate
Published on January 31, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Amarillo Venom News Release
The Amarillo Dusters today announced the assignment from the af2 league office of three new faces to the roster. Defensive Specialists Ronnie McDougle and Ray Padilla will join lineman Nick Codutti in training camp in March.
"Each of these three guys have impressive resumes, impressive physical tools, and great attitudes," said Dusters General Manager Warren McCarty. "Ray Padilla is a tough kid from the Bronx, Ronnie McDougle has fantastic speed and pedigree, and Nick Codutti is a blue-collar guy that gets the job done week in and week out. These guys can all stand out at this level, and they'll get that shot when camp starts in March."
Defensive Specialist Ray Padilla (5'8, 188), was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at cornerback at NCAA Division II Pace University in New York. He was a 2004 team captain and tallied 136 total tackles, 7 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 18 pass break-ups, 11 interceptions, 1 blocked kick, and averaged 21.0 yards per kick return over his career. He earned All-Conference honors in 2004. In 2005, he played professionally in Europe with the Schwaebisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League. He started 9 games, totaling 49 total tackles with 29 solos , blocked 1 kick , broke up 8 passes , forced 1 fumble , and intercepted 1 pass.
"We really liked what we saw on film from Ray," said Dusters Head Coach Steve Perdue. "He will strike you, and he makes big plays. He's from the Bronx, New York, and that pretty much speaks to his style of play. He's no-nonsense."
Defensive Specialist Ronnie McDougle, a native of Pompano Beach, FL, enjoyed a stellar career in college as both a defensive back and a receiver. The 5'10, 180 lb. athlete racked up 87 tackles, 9 interceptions, 29 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick for NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls in 2003 and 2004. He was also an NCAA All-American Track Athlete in the 200 meters as well. Prior to transferring to USF, McDougle played receiver at the University of South Dakota in 2000 and 2001. During those two seasons, he caught 31 passes for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also averaged 11 yards per punt return and 22 yards per kick return.
"Ronnie can fly, and he likes to hit also," said Dusters Head Coach Steve Perdue. "I've seen so many track athletes that look the part, and can burn, but don't have the right mentality to be a successful player on the football field. Ronnie is a football player who just happened to excel in track as well. He's got two relatives that are outstanding NFL players (Jerome McDougle and Stockar McDougle), and he has the physical ability to be at that level. The Dolphins have scouted him heavily, but I think he needs to prove that he can dominate against a higher level of competition. He's explosive, and he has experience on both sides of the football."
Nick Codutti (6'3, 295) was a four-year starter in college, starting at Guard, Center, and Tackle during his career. He played his first three seasons at NAIA Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, prior to transferring to William Jewell College, an NAIA School in Liberty, MO. He earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior, and was named to three different All-American Teams as a senior.
"Nick is aggressive, strong, and smart," said Dusters Head Coach Steve Perdue. "His coaches at both schools had nothing but praise for him, and the honors that he racked up along the way are well-deserved. He can play any offensive line position. He completely dominated the competition in college, but the question for us is how he'll do defensively, or if he can slide over and become our Offensive Line Specialist."
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- Dusters Gain Defensive Triumvirate - Amarillo Venom
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