Power Assigned Five, Including Josh Lay, Oderick Turner and Randy Hymes
December 6, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
The Pittsburgh Power have acquired five players including defensive back Bernard "Josh" Lay, local wide receivers Oderick Turner from Pitt, Perry Baker from Fairmont State, former IUP defensive lineman Tyre Young, and former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Randy Hymes.
Lay returns to the Power after leading the team in interceptions last season. Lay was drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints after a stellar career at Pitt, which included first team All-Big East honors as a senior. He was a member of the St. Louis Rams in 2006 the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe in 2007. Lay also played for the UFL prior joining the Power.
Oderick Turner, the son of former NFL receiver Odessa Turner, was touted as one of the country's top prep players prior to enrolling at Pitt. He was named to Rivals Freshman All-American (second team) as well as being honored on The Sporting News Big East All-Freshman Team. He finished his career with the Panthers with 122 receptions, 1,681 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Turner worked out for several NFL teams but suffered through a nagging hamstring injury during the pre-draft workouts. He spent 2011 in the SIFL and despite missing two games due to injury, was second in the league in receiving yards and was named All-SIFL second team.
Baker recorded 1,552 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in his collegiate career at Fairmont State. He has NFL bloodlines that include his older brother, Dallas, who played three seasons with the Steelers, and his uncle Wes Chandler, who played in the NFL for the Saints, 49ers, and Chargers. Baker signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, but was released following a knee injury.
Grambling product Randy Hymes has NFL experiences with the Ravens, Jaguars and Vikings along with AFL stints with the Cleveland Gladiators and the Philadelphia Soul.
Renown for his play at Gambling, Hymes was the MVP of the Bayou Classic, the Eddie Robinson Player of The Year, Offensive Player of The Year and SWAC Player of the Year in 2001. A quarterback for the Tigers, Hymes passed for 4,413 yards and 33 touchdowns helping the team become back-to-back SWAC Champions and Black College National Champions in 2001. Hymes spent five seasons in the NFL, including four with the Ravens, recording 43 receptions for 578 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tyre Young, at 6'0" and 310 lbs., played fullback and linebacker for Milwaukee in 2010 and was among AFL leaders with 20 rushing touchdowns. He has five years of AFL and af2 experience. A Pittsburgh native, Young played at Pitt before transferring to Indiana (PA).
The Power also announced increased local television coverage. Twelve games -- including seven home dates and five away matchups - will appear on WPCW, Pittsburgh's CW, in addition to the four games airing nationally on the NFL network. More information is available at www.PittsburghPowerFootball.com.
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