IFL Bay Area Panthers

Panthers Sign South Carolina State WR Will Vereen

January 2, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


The Panthers have added a big-play threat to bolster the offense with the signing of former South Carolina State wide receiver Will Vereen.

"Will has a rare combination of physical strength and quickness that allows him to separate with both power and foot speed," said Head Coach Rob Keefe. "He also has the feet and body control to uncover and create windows as a good route-runner."

Vereen's career highlights include playing at Clemson and Deion Sanders' Jackson State squad in 2021. In that Celebration Bowl, Vereen was on the receiving end of a 20 yard throw from Corey Fields on 4th and 19. The Bulldogs pulled away for a 31-10 win in front of more than 48,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans. As a senior, he led the team in receptions and finished tied for second in TD catches.

"It surprised me how long he had been following me," said Vereen of Keefe. "I was excited to get that phone call from somebody that had been watching you for so long and like what you do."

Resilience is a part of Vereen's DNA: He suffered an ACL injury in 2019 and needed another procedure in 2020. The strong senior season led to an opportunity with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

"I feel like I showed that I know how to stay focused and durable where I can be consistent for a long time," said Vereen. "Especially being through everything I've been through and, in my opinion, most people would have given up."

Speed is a huge part of Vereen's game and the IFL rookie is eager to take advantage of using the advantage of forward motion in the indoor game.

"If they are just standing and you have a full head of steam and at the snap of the ball being at top speed," said Vereen. "They've got to get on their horse to catch up so you're kind of in the driver's seat."

Vereen has a winning pedigree with two MEAC titles along with the Celebration Bowl victory. He's grateful to join the Panthers in pursuit of a second straight title while continuing to improve.

"I want to get better at downfield blocking and a chance to be more versatile," said Vereen. "In college I played on the outside so playing in the slot is something that I'd be open to doing."



Indoor Football League Stories from January 2, 2024


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