First tryout excites Thunder, they add 19 to roster
October 2, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Daytona Beach Thunder Head Coach Ervin Bryson has been many of these preseason tryouts, but he had never been more excited about watching hopefuls run a 40, bench press or run routes as he was Sunday afternoon.
"This is the best situation I've ever been in at this juncture,'' Bryson said. "Everything is first class ... we're on a state-of-the-art field system, the talent is excellent. I can't wait for the season to begin."
Forty-three prospects went through workouts Sunday morning at the Ocean Center as the Thunder - a first-year franchise in the American Indoor Football League - debuted its field system, previously used by the defunct Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League.
"This is a great setup,'' said Thunder receiver Lucas Greene. "I'm going to be able to jump a lot higher this season."
In all, the Thunder added 19 players to its roster, including four from the now dormant National Indoor Football League team that played here last year. Those four are also products of Bethune-Cookman College - RB Brad Lee, the NIFL's second leading rushing last season, WR Kwasie Kwaku, OL Terrance Butler, DB Jarraud Bell, and DB Nick Allison, who led the NIFL with a league-record 14 interceptions last year who also had a workout with the AFL's Orlando Predators the day before.
Two quarterbacks were signed - Jose Laureano, a former starter at North Carolina State who has played in the CFL, AF2 and NFL Europe and Marcus Walker, who started for Benedict (S.C.) College. Walker had the day's best time in the 40-yard dash - a 4.57.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from October 2, 2005
- First tryout excites Thunder, they add 19 to roster - Daytona Beach Thunder
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