Former NFL player Mao Tosi returning to the "Wild Side" for 2008
Published on November 29, 2007 under Intense Football League (Intense)
Alaska Wild News Release
Alaska Professional Sports, Inc. and the Alaska Wild are proud to announce the signing of former NFL Arizona Cardinal and East High School Great Mao Tosi (#66) back with the Wild for the 2008 season.
After high school, Tosi went on to play basketball at Butler (Kan.) Community College before transferring to Idaho as a junior. Mao decided to walk-on as football player, and quickly became a starter on the defensive line, finishing his junior season with 49 tackles, seven tackles for losses and four sacks.
The National Football League called for Tosi's talents and he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 5th round. NFL scouts loved his rare combination of size and athletic ability. After Tosi's playing days in the NFL he returned to his home in Anchorage, Alaska and has been giving back to the community ever since his return.
One of the ways Tosi gives back to the city of Anchorage is in his Communities in Schools Pride Club, which is a group of 30 to 50 teenagers, some of whom are classified as at-risk youth.
Tosi also contributed to the city by playing for the Alaska Wild during the debut season. Tosi signed midway through the 2007 season and gave the team a boost on the defensive side of the ball. In the few games at defensive end Tosi had 14 total tackles, 1 sack, and 3 pass breakups.
"In the last 2 games of the season Mao was a force on defense and helped the team win both games", Alaska Wild Defensive Coordinator Abe Hernandez said. "We are elated that Mao is coming back for the 2008 season".
Another familiar face recently signed to with the Wild during the 2008 season, Wide receiver Anthony Shelton (#82), a former Dimond High School football standout. Shelton was a solid contributor on both sides of the ball. At wide receiver, Shelton started in four games and had 12 receptions for 126 yards and 4 touchdowns. As defensive back in three games Shelton had 16 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. After graduating from Dimond High School, Shelton went on to Tennessee State University where he started as a linebacker/strong safety combo during his freshman season. Shelton later converted to wide receiver due to injuries of other team members.
Your Alaska Wild also is proud to present seven new players to the Wild family. The new players are Defensive Lineman Dominic Corbett, Defensive End Joe Small, Running Back/Linebacker Kevin Jones, Defensive Back Lavone Nelson, Fullback Shane Aubrey, Defensive End Malo Uiato Jr. and Wide Receiver Andre Velasquez.
Defensive Lineman Dominic Corbett (6'3ft, 285lbs.) attended Hogan High School in Vallejo, CA where he was a four year starter at right tackle from 2001 to 2004. In 2003 Dominic was invited to attend spring camp at San Jose State University where he earned best lineman award. Dominic has resided in Anchorage since 2004 and will be a rookie player in the 2008 season.
Defensive End Joe Small (6'2ft, 250lbs.) was a sack master at Webber International University from 2003-2006 seasons. Small led the team in sacks three years in a row and was ranked 25th in sacks nationally in the NAIA. Small was also a two-time All-Conference selection. Before playing at Webber International University, Small played at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee from 2002-2003 as a linebacker. Small should add speed to the Alaska Wild's D-Line this 2008 season.
Running Back Kevin Jones (6'0ft, 251lbs.) out of Sacramento, California played for the Frederikssund Oaks in Denmark last 2007 season. Jones was their running back and outside linebacker. Jones finished the season with over 900 yards in seven games with 8 touchdowns. Jones tied the Oaks team record with four 100+ yard games with 2 of those games rushing for over 200 yards. Jones played Junior College ball for Gavilan College in California, and then went on to Menlo College in California to finish his college career. At every playing level, Jones was named team captain. Jones will be a valuable offensive weapon on the Wild. Jones' vast knowledge of the game and leadership skills will be vital to the Alaska Wild.
Defensive Back Lavone Nelson (6'3ft, 183lbs.) played his college ball at Erie (N.Y.) Community College is bringing a lot of needed indoor football experience to the Wild. Nelson indoor football travels ranges from the East Coast of United States to various parts of Canada. Nelson had a stellar high school career before playing in college and indoor professional leagues. "Non-Stop" is a nickname that Nelson has picked up along the way as a football player for displaying non-stop action on the field. The Alaska Wild coaching staff believes that "Non-Stop" Nelson will be delivering a lot of surprises to our fans this 2008 season.
Fullback Shane Aubrey (6'0ft, 235lbs.) brings 13 years of football experience to the Alaska Wild. As a high school football player in Maine he was the state's offensive player of the year while also earning recognition on the national level as an honorable mention All-American. He was runner-up for Maine's High School Heisman and broke several records including his high school's single season rushing record. On the professional level, Aubrey played two seasons at tailback for the Maine Lions of the East Coast Football League.
Defensive End Malo Uiato Jr. (6'4ft, 295lbs.) attended Soamana High School where he started at DE for three years. Uiato played in the 2006 Samoa bowl All-Star game as DE/LB. Uiato moved to Alaska this past summer and is excited to be in Alaska and play for the Wild.
Wide Receiver Andre Velasquez (6'2ft, 175lbs.) brings has playmaking abilities to the Alaska Wild for the 2008 season. Velasquez has the combination of speed and strength that Alaska Wild Head Coach Hans Deemer desires in his receiving core. Velasquez college experiences include a stop at Antelope Valley College (CA), where he ended his two-year junior college career with 67 receptions for 1,630 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, and for an added bonus 4 kick returns for touchdowns. Velasquez second college stop was at Lambuth University where he left a lasting impact on the team. During Velasquez senior year, he led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. After college, Velasquez played with the Bakersfield Blitz of the Arena Football 2 League in 2005, and then he went on to play with the Southern California Smash in 2006 and the Inglewood Blackhawks in 2007 for the LaBelle Community Football League, which was voted the #1 minor football league in America. Velasquez had several big games throughout his minor league career including a 245 all purpose yard game in 2007 against the West Coast Sharks in the LCFL Playoffs. Velasquez was known around the LCFL as one of the most dangerous kick and punt return men, which makes him a weapon in just about every facet of the game for the Wild.
The Alaska Wild is part of the Intense Football League (IFL). Founded in 2003, the IFL consists of a record nine professional indoor football teams, three of which are located outside of Texas, the Louisiana Swashbucklers of Lake Charles, LA , the Alaska Wild of Anchorage, Alaska and the recently added Fairbanks Grizzlies of Fairbanks, Alaska. Texas teams include the CenTex Barracudas of Belton, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Odessa Roughnecks, San Angelo Stampede Express, Katy Ruff Riders, and Frisco Thunder.
For more information on the IFL, visit www.intensefootball league.net.
Alaska Wild is owned by Alaska Professional Sports, Inc. For more information on Alaska Wild and Alaska Professional Sports, Inc., please visit www.goakwild.com or www.akprosports.com.
Intense Football League Stories from November 29, 2007
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
