Former AFL, NFL Players Assigned To Force Roster
January 28, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Georgia Force News Release
Atlanta, GA- The Georgia Force today secured nine players to the team roster including quarterback Brett Elliot (Linfield), quarterback Darnell Kennedy (Alabama State), quarterback Billy Cundiff (Ashland), wide receiver Michael Johnson (Chattanooga), wide receiver C.J. Johnson (Tennessee State), Wide Receiver Larry Shipp (Tennessee Tech), wide receiver Wendall Williams (Rhode Island), wide receiver Purify Maurice, and kicker Carlos Martinez (Buena Vista).
Heading into camp, Head Coach Dean Cokinos is pleased with the level of competition and diverse talent the players have displayed so far.
"We are excited with the mixture of guys we have to date at the offensive skills position," said Cokinos. "We also expect to sign at least two more experienced AFL receivers and possibly add a fourth QB in the next weeks, so I expect this be an extremely competitive group in camp."
Elliot, 6-3, 205 pounds, is a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon who transferred from the University of Utah to Linfield where he helped led the team to a victory in 24 of his 25 starts. He has three years of experience in the AFL including a stint with the Utah Blaze (2010) and the San Jose SaberCats (2007-08). He also spent one season with the NFL Europe (2006) and was the first pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 draft.
Kennedy, 6-1, 190 pounds, was a member of the CFL from 2002-05 (Calgary, Ottowa and Toronto). He competed for the South Georgia Wildcats (af2) as the starting quarterback (2009) where he finished with a 58.7 completion rate and threw for 3,745 yards. As a Wildcat, Kennedy was named the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week twice. He later moved to the Milwaukee Iron for the 2010 season.
Cundiff, 6-2, 220 pounds, transferred from the University of Conneticut to Ashland where he was named the 2008 GLIAC Football Player of the Year. He gained NfL experience with the Cincinnati Bengals (2010).
Michael Johnson, 6-2, 215 pounds worked under the helm of Cokinos for three years with the Alabama Vipers (2008-10). Johnson also participated in the San Francsico 49ers mini camp during 2007.
C.J. Johnson, 5-10, 185 pounds received All AFL Iron Man Team honors in 2010 while playing for the Alabama Vipers. He spent the 2008 season with the Columbus Destroyers, the 2007 season with the Nashville Kats, and played two seasons with the Chicago Rush (2005-06).
Shipp, 5-10, 200 pounds competed for Tennessee Tech University whee he was a three-year MVP and was named to the All-OVC team for three consecutive years. He attended rookie camp with the Detroit Lions (2008) and gained professional experience with the Alabama Vipers (2009-10).
Williams, 5-11, 190 pounds, was a four-year letterman at Rhode Island where he played 12 games as a senior, rushing for 677 yards on 85 carries and three touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 436 yards and four TDs. He played for the Manchester Wolves (af2) in 2006 and spent the 2007 campaign with the Nashville Kats. Williams also competed for the New Orleans Voo Doo (2008) and the Utah Blaze (2010).
Purify, 6-3, 225 pounds, was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent (2009-10). He played in four preseason games his rookie year before being assigned to the practice squad.
Martinez, 5-8, 175 pounds is a native of Kennesaw, Georgia. He received AFL Second Team All Arena honors in 2010 with the Orlando Predators. He competed with the Georgia Force (2007-08), where he posted 56 points in seven games by connecting 47 of 56 PATs and three of five field goals in his first season with the team. Martinez also competed for the Dallas Cowboys (2006) after spending two seasons with the Dallas Desperado (2004-06).
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- Former AFL, NFL Players Assigned To Force Roster - Georgia Force
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