L.A. Avengers sign quarterback Sonny Cumbie
Published on October 19, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES - Sonny Cumbie, who led the NCAA in passing last season, has signed with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Cumbie (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) agreed to a two-year contract and will be with Los Angeles through the 2007 season.
At Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas), he passed for 4,742 yards (No. 6 all-time in NCAA Division I-A history) and 32 touchdowns last season. Cumbie threw for at least 300 yards in the first nine games and topped the 400-yard mark six times in 2004. He closed his senior season by passing for a career-high 520 yards, leading the Red Raiders past then-No. 4 California, 45-31, in the 2004 Holiday Bowl. Cumbie was 39-of-60 in that game and threw for three scores.
With the addition of Cumbie, the Avengers now have three quarterbacks on their roster for the upcoming 2006 season. Brian Mann, who will be entering his fourth year with Los Angeles, has the most experience, having played in a total of eight games. Ryan Van Dyke was the Avengers' third-string quarterback last season and played in just one contest. John Kaleo, who was last season's starter, signed a free agent contract with the Columbus Destroyers earlier this month.
"We're really excited to get Sonny Cumbie signed," said Hodgkiss, who has guided the Avengers into the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons at the helm. "He was a very productive college quarterback and one of the few guys who ran an Arena Football type of offense, or as close as you can get, and he had great success doing it. Sonny came out here and worked out for us and did very well. He has all the tools to be successful in our league. We are very excited about him coming in here to compete with Brian Mann and Ryan Van Dyke."
A year after joining the Texas Tech football team as a walk-on in 2000, Cumbie earned a scholarship. He backed up record-setting quarterbacks Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons for three seasons before becoming the starter in 2004.
Born on Aug. 8, 1981, in Abilene, Texas, Cumbie played football, basketball and baseball while attending Snyder (Texas) High School. On the gridiron he played quarterback within a run-oriented Wing-T offense and was coached by David Baugh, son of legendary football player Sammy Baugh.
Season ticket packages for the upcoming 2006 campaign are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
The Avengers averaged 12,165 fans at STAPLES Center for eight regular-season home games during the 2005 season.
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