Movin' on up: Thunder DB Allison signs with AFL's Orlando Predators
October 6, 2006 - World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Daytona Beach Thunder celebrated its first player moving up to the next level Friday when it was announced that defensive back Nick "The Quick" Allison signed with the Arena Football League's Orlando Predators.
Allison led the Thunder with 13 interceptions in 2006 and was named to his league's southern conference first team defense. He also garnered a conference defensive player of the week nod for his role in an overtime victory. In 2005, Allison tied a National Indoor Football League record with 14 while playing for a now defunct Daytona Beach franchise. He added another pick during a brief stint with the Sioux City (Iowa) Bandits of United Indoor Football following that.
"It's a proud day for our organization,'' said Thunder head coach Leon Bright. "This is what we're in the business of doing -- getting our players the game film and experience needed to advance to the next level and we're going to do everything we can to make sure this happens time and time again. The Predators just got themselves one heck of a defensive back."
Allison's appreciative of the opportunity Daytona Beach gave him.
"I learned how to play the indoor game and understand it better,'' Allison said. "I knew I had the potential to play at a higher level. This feels great."
He moves up to one of the AFL's most successful and respected franchises. The Predators have been to the ArenaBowl six times, including last year, and have won twice.
Allison played two seasons at Eastern Illinois. He recorded 14 tackles and one interception as a freshman and started 12 games as a sophomore, finishing the season with 45 tackles, a pair of interceptions and ranked sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in pass defenses.
"Nick Allison has incredible ball skills," said Orlando head coach Jay Gruden in a Predators press release. "It doesn't matter what level of professional competition you are talking about, 28 interceptions over two years in unbelievable. I believe that Nick has a real opportunity to be an impact player in the Arena Football League."
Allison played two seasons at Eastern Illinois. He recorded 14 tackles and one interception as a freshman and started 12 games as a sophomore, finishing the season with 45 tackles, a pair of interceptions and ranked sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in pass defenses.
The Thunder looks to fill the void of Allison's advancement Saturday with its first tryout at Merritt Island High School.
"Brevard County has a lot of talent and it'll be interesting to see what we discover," Bright said.
World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from October 6, 2006
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