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IFL Iowa Barnstormers

Iowa Barnstormers Roster Roundup

March 5, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - The Iowa Barnstormers 2023 season will kick off this week with the start of the team's Training Camp.

Head Coach Dave Mogensen has announced the 34 players who will be entering the Barnstormers camp to vie for a spot on the final roster.

"Training Camp is always an opportunity to mold 34 plus players into a 25-man team," said Head Coach Mogensen. "That takes effort on the field, in the meeting room, film room, through team building events. Seeing how guys progress through the rigors of camp to me is the most exciting."

Of the 34 players signed, 13 will be returning from last season's roster. Leading the offense, quarterback Darius-James Peterson returns to the Barnstormers after a breakout rookie season in 2022. He is joined on the offense by returning running back Antonio Wimbush and wide receiver Kezlow Smith.

Iowa's favorite kicker, Gabriel Rui, is also returning to the Barnstormers roster for his third season with the team.

On the other side of the ball, defensive captain linebacker Ian McBorrough returns for his second season on the team and will be joined by returning defensive backs Jordan Baldwin, Titus Howard, Justic'e King, and D'Vaughn Whitt. Jordon Beaton, Dave Calderon, Marshaun Jones, and Christopher Robinson also return to the defensive line for the 2023 season.

Additionally, veteran defensive back Tyrell Pearson will make his return to Des Moines in 2023. Pearson previously wore the goggles during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, earning a Championship Title with the Barnstormers in 2018.

"We expect to see all of these returning players take the next step in their football evolution," said Head Coach Mogensen. "These players have the benefit of being in the system already which should hopefully allow them to enter camp at a higher base level than a new player, but nobody has a guaranteed roster spot so they will need to perform to secure a role."

Veteran defensive back EJ Johnson will also join the Barnstormers camp after three seasons with the San Diego Strikeforce.

Defensive lineman Charles Brooks comes to the Barnstormers with indoor experience after stints in both the CIF and NAL, while offensive lineman Eric Janeau, Jr. also brings experience to the team after spending two seasons with the Green Bay Blizzard.

Several rookies will also enter the Barnstormers 2023 Training Camp to earn their goggles. Among the rookies are wide receiver Max Elliot and defensive back Joshua Johnson who both earned their Training Camp invitations following the Barnstormers Open Tryout in December.

"I firmly believe that quality rookies are the key to a great IFL team," said Head Coach Mogensen. "NAZ showed that last year with numerous rookies playing key roles on their championship squad and we rode 16 rookies to the playoffs. We return a large amount of players and added a few vets to help improve us as a whole, but once again we will need some rookies in some key spots. I believe we have assembled some outstanding rookies at nearly every position who will push immediately to secure a roster spot."

Local talent Brandon Martin, a wide receiver out of Grand View University will also enter the team's camp as a rookie along with quarterback Zach Reader out of Upper Iowa University. They will be joined by offensive rookie wide receivers Ke'Lenn Davis, Derek Kumerow, Bralon Robinson, Caleb Smith, and Nate Stewart along with offensive lineman Joe Bastante, Cam Johnson, Jacob Ungruhe, and Tyler Wetterings.

The defense will be joined by rookie defensive backs Freddie McGee III and Joran Perry along with defensive lineman Carl Igweh and Marqualin "Woo" Scott.

"This year we expect to see a very competitive training camp," said Head Coach Mogensen. "The decisions on who makes the final roster will be very tough across multiple position groups. We feel as though we will release guys that are very good players. These two weeks of camp are going to be intense for everyone involved."

The Iowa Barnstormers 2023 Training Camp will kick off this week. More details about the upcoming season will be available soon.

Training Camp is presented by AmericInn by Wyndham.

Season Tickets for the Iowa Barnstormers 2023 season are on sale now for as low as $128 per seat. Don't miss a minute of the action! For more information, call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255 or log on to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.



Indoor Football League Stories from March 5, 2023


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.

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