Iron Sign Pair Of Defensive Backs
December 3, 2009 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Milwaukee Mustangs News Release
MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Iron announced today that it has added defensive back and former Albany State University stand-out Marcus Jefferson and former Rhode Island University defensive back Virgil Gray to its Arena Football One professional roster. Jefferson comes to Milwaukee after playing for the Georgia Force in 2008 while Gray comes to Milwaukee after playing a prominent role with the 2009 ArenaCup Champion Spokane Shock of the af2.
MARCUS JEFFERSON, DB, 5'9", 185, ALBANY STATE
Jefferson, 25, attended Albany State University where he was named a two-time All-American as a defensive back. During his junior season he led NCAA Division II football in passes defensed (21). That season he added 58 tackles (six for a loss), six blocked kicks, five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. With his efforts he earned a spot on the Second-Team Don Hansen's Football Gazette Preseason All-America Team prior to his junior season and was named an All-American after the season. He followed up his junior season with 53 tackles and two interceptions on defense in addition to his two punt return touchdowns on special teams as a senior. In his four seasons at Albany State he collected 154 tackles, 37 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six blocked kicks.
Jefferson, who attended Putnam County (Eatonton, GA) High School, was named All-State his junior year in high school after intercepting 11 passes, the most in the state. In 2008, Jefferson spent the entire season with the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League where he made 14 tackles and had three assists as a cornerback.
VIRGIL GRAY, DB/KR, 5'10", 180, RHODE ISLAND
Gray, 25, spent two seasons with the Lubbock Renegades of AF2 where he led the team in tackles (85.5) and interceptions (8), while finishing second in passes broken up (25). In 2009, Gray signed with the Spokane Shock to start the season but was placed on Other League Exempt after signing with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He re-joined the Shock later in the season and played a prominent role as a member of Spokane's 2009 Arena Cup Championship team. Gray was awarded Defensive Player of the Week honors in the semi-final round of the playoffs during the teams championship run.
Gray, who spent his entire college career at Rhode Island University as a defensive back, was named to the 2006 Atlantic 10 Football All-Conference Defensive Second-Team as a senior. Gray's 67 tackles his senior season were fourth most in the conference and led to him being named to the Division I-AA All-New England Team, which is voted on by the New England Football Writers Association. He played in all 11 games as a junior and was named Atlantic 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week during his sophomore season after returning an interception for a touchdown. As a red-shirt freshman he started 11 of 12 games. He finished his career with 254 tackles, three sacks and seven interceptions.
The Milwaukee Iron has now added 11 players to its professional roster in the past three weeks as they continue building for the 2010 Arena Football One season.
Iron season tickets are currently on sale, starting as low as $50.
For ticket information, please contact the Iron ticket sales office at 262-523-9206.
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Arena Football League Stories from December 3, 2009
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- Iron Sign Pair Of Defensive Backs - Milwaukee Mustangs
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