AF1 Minnesota Myth

Minnesota Myth Roster Announced

April 26, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1)
Minnesota Myth News Release


The Myth roster is complete. Let's check out the team by positional group!

Quarterback

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Demry Croft QB 6'5 200 University of Minnesota

Zach Reader QB 5'11 200 Upper Iowa

The Minnesota Myth offense will flow through former University of Minnesota starting Quarterback Demry Croft. An electric field general who took the IFL by storm in 2021, Croft was named to the IFL's All-Rookie team while playing for the Tucson Sugar Skulls. The six-foot-five, 200-pounder brings a unique blend of prototypical size and speed to the position. Myth fans will love their starting quarterback's ability to extend plays with his legs, scramble outside the pocket, and move the ball efficiently to extend drives.

Zach Reader will serve as the backup to Croft. Reader is a former Upper Iowa University athlete who most recently played professionally with the IFL's Iowa Barnstormers in 2023. Reader accounted for 16 total touchdowns in six games for Iowa last year. Reader uses a solid throwing base and is not afraid to launch the deep ball downfield to open receivers. The 24-year-old gunslinger hailing from Oak Creek, WS, will give Head Coach Rickey Foggie a fantastic option alongside his starter in 2024. The Myth have a young duo of quarterbacks who are hungry to achieve success in the AFL East Division this season.

Specialists (OS/DS)

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Isiah Malone DS 5'9 180 Augsburg

Isisah Hall DS 5'9 175 University of St. Thomas

Jerron McGaw OS 5'8 170 Adrian College

Jake Stedemann WR/DB/OS 5'9 185 NA

Receivers Jerron McGaw and Jake Stuedemann will provide Offensive Specialist services for Minnesota this season. McGaw is a former Adrian College receiver who amassed eye-popping statistics from 2015-2018. The five-foot-seven slot receiver ended his collegiate career with over 3,250 career scrimmage yards. McGaw most recently played professional football in the IFL via the Quad City Steamwheelers. Last season in Quad City, McGaw filled a variety of roles, including running back, receiver, and kick returner. Look for McGaw to torch opposing defensive backs with his burst and route-running savvy.

Stuedemann is a former Saint John's University running back who spent just one season with the Johnnies in 2014. This explosive athlete has been training for CFL opportunities and will now get his first taste of professional football in the AFL.

Moving onto the defensive specialist position, defensive back Isaiah Hall has locked down this role for Minnesota. Hall played his college ball at Winona State University, the University of St. Thomas, from 2016 to 2019. Playing both wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner, Hall excelled in all three phases of the game during his four-year career. Hall will play lockdown coverage against the opposing offense's best-receiving threats in 2024. Look for this impressive young man to control the back end of Defensive Coordinator Jeff Loots' defense.

Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Javonte Haynes WR/DB 6'2 180 IUP

Moe Strong WR/DB 6'4 215 Central Lakes College

Phillip Harding WR/DB 6'2 195 Saint Vincent College

Terrance Wenzel WR/DB 5'11 185 Masebi Range CC

Ethan Stark DB 6'0 195 St Johns University

Minnesota's receiver room is filled with high-quality playmakers of prototypical size and athleticism. Moe Strong, Phillip Harding, Javonte Haynes, and Ethan Stark will provide the pass-catching services for Coach Foggie this year. Strong attended Vermillion Community College and Central Lakes College, playing primarily as a receiver. Following his college career, Strong has become a mainstay in professional football. Playing across several leagues, including the AWFC, CAFL, and most recently in the CIF with the Omaha Beef in 2023. Standing at six-foot-four, 215 pounds, and possessing the required strength, Strong will thrive in the "X" position for the Myth.

Harding is a Saint Vincent College graduate who played in 33 career games for the Bearcats from 2018-2021. The Pittsburgh, PA native has professional football experience courtesy of the AIF's Cedar River Kings.

Haynes arrives in Minnesota after having attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The six-foot-one, 170-pounder hailing from Bethlehem, PA, played in 11 games as a Freshman and earned the "star" position on defense. Haynes most recently spent time with a Semi-Professional football league known as The Den. With an extensive background playing defensive back, Haynes will see time on both sides of the ball for Minnesota.

Rounding out the true receiver / defensive back group is Stark. A three-year defensive back out of St. John's University, Stark appeared in 32 games for the Johnnies from 2021 to 2023. Stark's role will mainly be defensive back while also running routes for Coach Foggie's offense this season.

Rounding out the true receiver / defensive back group is Wenzel-a former JUCO player who attended Mesabi Range College. As a Freshman, Wenzel led the team in all major statistical categories at receiver. He has also spent time in professional football via the CAFL. Minnesota's coaching staff should be pleased with this assortment of talent in this group in 2024.

Wide Receiver/Fullback/Linebacker

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Onte Burns FB/LB 5'10 210 SMSU

Andre Owens FB/LB 5'10 235 NA

Brian Sandifer WR/LB 6'4 215 Sioux Falls/UW- Stout

Trevis Graham Jr WR/LB 6'0 190 Norther Colorado

The Myth are set to feature numerous Ironmen playing hybrid positions this year. With a mixed bag of skills and size, these positionless players are the heart and soul of an AFL team. Receiver / Linebacker Sandifier fits this hybrid mold perfectly. The former Sioux Falls and University of Wisconsin-Stout receiver recorded 49 receptions for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns while at UW-Stout. With an impressive build and wingspan, Sandifier projects to be a factor in every game this season. A Southwest Minnesota State University graduate, this two-sport athlete excelled on the hardwood and the gridiron.

A massive physical specimen at six-foot-seven, 250 pounds, Myth fans can expect to see Kirk all over the field this year. Burns is a prototypical linebacker/fullback prospect. A star at Southwest Minnesota State University, Burns stuffed the stat sheets and amassed 365 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and four interceptions in 44 games. With a nose for the football and the athletic traits to pound the rock on offense, Burns will have a prominent role in Coach Foggie's game plan.

For fans looking for a "lunch pal" type of prospect, look no further than Martinelli. A hard-hitting linebacker from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Martinelli possesses fantastic motor and pass-rushing capabilities. Martinelli has professional football experience, having spent time with the Billings Outlaws, and will have a role similar to Burns.

Owens rounds out this impressive group of hybrid players. Projecting as a backup linebacker for Coach Loots, Owens played semi-pro football for the NEFL's Minnesota Grizzlies in 2020.

Linemen

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Zach Curry OL/DL 6'2 240 Ouachita Baptist University

Desmond Darby OL/DL 6'3 340 Lake Erie

Metoriah Faoliu OL/DL 6'1 285 St Johns University

Sidney Jones OL/DL 6'2 310 Southern Conn State University

Carter Kirk TE/DE 6'7 250 SMSU

Victor Martinelli TE/DE 6'5 265 UW- EAU Claire

Heraldo Nolasco OL/DL 6'0 310 Utica College

Apny Omol OL/DL 6'4 320 Augsburg

Earl Volz OL/DL 6'1 280 Kutztown University

Matt Weimann OL/DL 6'3 315 University of St. Thomas

The Myth head into their much anticipated AFL season with a great set of linemen. The unit will be led by Metoriah Faoliu, a plug-and-play lineman specializing in getting after the quarterback. The former St. John's University standout will anchor both sides of Coach Foggie's line and bring consistency and grit week in and week out.

Matt Weimann, Apny Omol, and Zach Curry are slated to play alongside him. Weimann will play Center and Defensive Tackle for the Myth this season after enjoying a stellar career at St. Thomas University. He most recently played professionally for the IFL's Green Bay Blizzard in 2023. Omol is a behemoth at six-foot-four, 315 pounds. The former Augsburg University Auggie played Tackle and Guard during his time in college. Curry will control the defensive line as he brings a wealth of knowledge on that side of the ball. A former JUCO standout at Ouachita Baptist University, Curry has spent time in professional football leagues with the LFA and in France.

Rounding out this group of talented linemen are Desmon Darby, Sidney Jones, Earl Volz, and Heraldo Nolasco. Darby and Jones both have collegiate experience playing along the defensive line. Darby attended Lake Erie College and will make the transition to become a two-way player in the AFL.

Jones was a four-year mainstay for Southern Connecticut State University and projects as a top defensive lineman in Minnesota. Volz is a newcomer to professional football, having just wrapped up his college career at Kutztown University. Volz will lean on his extensive knowledge of defense to provide key minutes in the trenches for the Myth. Nolasco attended Utica University and played along the offensive line. He also spent time with a semi-pro football league known as The Den. This young group of linemen will look to outwork their competition every week under Coach Foggie.

Kicker

First Name Last Name Position Height (ft) Weight (lbs) College

Justin Wolf K 6'0 208 Mankato State



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