Rattlers Announce Eight More Including Three from 2019 All-Ifl Team
Published on October 15, 2019 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
Arizona Rattlers offensive lineman Steven Gurrola
(Arizona Rattlers)
PHOENIX - The six-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers announced today that eight more players have signed to the team for the 2020 Indoor Football League season.
Four offense players were signed, All-IFL offensive lineman Steven Gurrola, wide receiver Donta Armstrong, wide receiver Dez Stewart, and wide receiver John Diarse II. The defensive additions include All-IFL defensive back Allen "Bubba" Chapman, All-IFL defensive back Dillion Winfrey, defensive lineman Josh Gordon, and defensive back Kamron Johnson.
DB Allen Chapman (5'11, 195, Kansas State) was named first-team All-IFL last season with the Rattlers. Chapman was one of four players tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019. He also had 41 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks last season. He has been with the team for five seasons, and was also on the All-IFL first-team in 2017.
Chapman began his collegiate career at City College of San Francisco before playing two years at Kansas State University. He finished tied for fourth in Kansas State history with four interception-returned touchdowns.
Chapman played at Oak Grove High School, where he was named first-team All-BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division and All-CCS Honorable Mention in 2007, and Most Valuable Defensive Back in 2008.
DL Josh Gordon (6'1, 250, Minnesota State-Mankato) returns for his fourth season with the Rattlers. He has 17.5 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 31 games with the Rattlers over the last three seasons. Gordon was named to the 2018 first-team All-IFL team.
Gordon played four years with Minnesota State University, Mankato and finished his collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in sacks (43) and tackles for loss (63). He was a two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the Year, and was named first-team All-NSIC and All-NSIC Academic Team in his senior year.
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native played high school football at Wisconsin Lutheran, where he was a two-year starter and letterwinner.
OL Steven Gurrola (6'2, 290, Arizona) was one of six Rattlers named to the first-team All-IFL last season. Gurrola was part of an offensive line that allowed only four sacks in 2019, the fewest in the IFL.
Gurrola played two years at Glendale Community College before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Arizona. At Glendale, Gurrola was named first-team All-American, first-team All-WSFL, and first-team All-ACCAC. He was also named second-team All-Pac-12 in his senior year at Arizona.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Gurrola was a football letterman at Washington High School playing offensive and defensive line. He was also a regional wrestling champion, finishing fourth in the state.
DB/WR Dillion Winfrey (5'8, 185, Central Arkansas) received second-team All-IFL honors last season with the Rattlers. Winfrey finished second on the Rattlers in 2019 with five interceptions and third on the team with eight pass breakups.
Winfrey played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas, where he received All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention in 2012. He finished with 82 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 30 games.
The Bryant, Arkansas native attended Bryant High School and was twice named All-State in track and football, twice named Nike All-Arkansas, and was a 2011 Landers Award finalist.
WR Donta Armstrong (5'10, 170, West Alabama) returns after playing in three games for Arizona last season.
Armstrong began his college career playing at Northeast Community College. He was an NJCAA All-American and first-team All-Region selection. Armstrong then played two years at the University of West Alabama, where he was named All-Gulf South Conference, All-America, and All-Region in both years that he played there.
DB Kamron Johnson (6'0, 200, Northern Arizona) played in two games for the Rattlers last season, making three solo tackles and an interception.
Johnson was a two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection during his career at Northern Arizona University. He led Northern Arizona in interceptions in two seasons and was the Defensive Players of the Year in 2017.
A Scottsdale, Arizona native, Johnson went to Saguaro High School, where he was a two-time all-city selection as well as first-team all-state, all-section, all-division, and all-tribune honors.
The Bruce, Mississippi native played high school football at Bruce High School. In 2013, Armstrong was the MHSAA Division 4, Class 2A Player of the Year as well as MAC Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year.
WR Dez Stewart (6'0, 200, Ohio Dominican) returns to the Rattlers after playing in six games for the team in 2019, recording eight catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Stewart played four years at Ohio Dominican University, where he was named first team All-GLIAC three years in a row. He also received first team All-Ohio Division II and second team CCA All-Region honors. Stewart had 196 catches for 3,197 yards and 25 touchdowns in 43 games for Ohio Dominican.
WR John Diarse II (6'1, 195, Texas Christian) joins the Rattlers for the 2020 season. Diarse previously spent time with the NFL's Denver Broncos and the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
Diarse played collegiately first at Louisiana State University before transferring to Texas Christian Univeristy. At LSU, Diarse played in 25 games with eight starts, recording 28 catches for 412 yards and three touchdowns. He then had 68 catches for 1,017 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons at TCU. Diarse led TCU in receiving yards during his senior year, and was third in receptions and touchdowns.
Originally from Monroe, Louisiana, Diarse played football at Neville High School where he played quarterback in his senior year. He threw for 1,685 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,327 yards and 21 touchdowns that year. Diarse also played in the 2013 US Army All-American Bowl.
For more information on the Arizona Rattlers, please visit www.azrattlers.com.
Images from this story
 Arizona Rattlers defensive back Dillion Winfrey |
 Arizona Rattlers defensive back Allen "Bubba" Chapman rises for an interception |
 Arizona Rattlers offensive lineman Steven Gurrola |
Indoor Football League Stories from October 15, 2019
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