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Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Add Depth up Front with Augusta

March 24, 2019 - National Arena League (NAL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


The Massachusetts Pirates professional arena football team in Worcester has signed defensive lineman Joshua Augusta for the 2019 season. After a productive college career and two National Football League training camps, the Peoria, Illinois native is coming east.

"Jawad (Pirates President and General Manager Jawad Yatim) contacted me on Instagram. I looked at some of the videos that the Pirates had posted and I liked it. I read about how the team did in its first season and when he offered me to come and play I knew that I was OK with it," Augusta said.

At 6'4," 355 lbs. the former Missouri Tiger should be able to dominate on the defensive line. With his size he should be favored in one on one match ups.

"Yes, I like that," he said. I was used to getting double teamed all the time playing nose tackle (in college) so those one on ones are going to be pretty awesome. I can pass rush but I'm known as a run stopper, but I plan on getting better at my pass rushing. Once I get out there I feel like my pass rushing is going to be more of my main thing," he added.

Yatim likes the fact that Augusta was in a few NFL training camps.

"We are glad Josh decided to join us here in Massachusetts. It's not his first time being up here as he was with the Patriots in 2017 coming out of Missouri. He had a productive camp with the Pats especially the first pre-season game where he logged six tackles against the Jaguars. He appeared in 41 games while at Missouri and was a big presence along their defensive front. He's got nimble feet for a 6'4 350 pound athlete, actually logging some snaps at full-back in short yardage situations for the Tigers his senior year tallying a couple touchdowns. That versatility is important for us, as injuries occur throughout the season and guys move up its crucial to have players that can adequately fit certain positions of need as we get going in 2019. He's a guy that would typically demand a double team however in arena football it's a lot of man on man blocking up front so it'll be exciting to see what he can do in those situations. Josh is a great addition for us and him along with Du'Vonta Lampkin in the middle of our defensive line, it'll be fun to see how disruptive those two can be throughout the course of our season," Yatim said.

Augusta was heavily recruited out of Peoria High School in Illinois where he also played basketball and was the 2012 Class 2A shot put champion. His dream was to play SEC football and against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He chose Missouri over the likes of Notre Dame, Michigan and Oklahoma, to name a few.

Augusta said, "I just remember I always wanted to play Alabama when I was in high school. When I went to Mizzou and I found out we had the chance to play them in the SEC Championship, I was all in. It was a great opportunity and it was what I'd dreamed of. Of course we didn't win but I still got to play against one of the best teams."

Augusta played for the Missouri Tigers from 2013 - 2016 appearing in 52 games. He finished his career with 82 tackles, 19 and a half tackles for a loss and three sacks. His best season was in 2015 when he started all 12 games recording 27 stops with 8.5 tackles for a loss.

After college he attended training camps with the New England Patriots in 2017 and the Kansas City Chiefs last season. In both cases he said there were benefits.

"Yes, it was definitely a learning experience. I actually learned a lot technique wise. Just being out there and learning from the older guys is just awesome. I learned a lot," he said.

The Massachusetts Pirates are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The Pirates play all home games at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA. 01608. Pirate Nation Season Ticket Memberships for the 2019 season will be on sale in September. Pirate Nation Memberships start as low as $200.00. To become a Pirate Nation Season Ticket member or for more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508) 452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit www.masspiratesfootball.com. Single game tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com or the DCU Center Box Office. For group outings please call 508-452-MASS (6277). Follow the Pirates on Facebook at Facebook.com/MAPirates on Instagram @mass.pirates, as well as Twitter @mass_pirates.

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