Roughnecks Receive Commitment From UAB DB Kevin Sanders & Sign Boise State Safety Austin Smith
February 17, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : As the start of training camp approaches in a few days, the West Texas Roughnecks continue to build their preseason roster by announcing on Wednesday, February 17, that the organization has received a commitment from former UAB defensive back Kevin Sanders. Additionally, the Roughnecks announced the signing of former Boise State University strong safety Austin Smith on Wednesday.
Kevin Sanders (5'11", 195 lbs.) played collegiately at the University of Alabama-Birmingham from 2005 to 2008, and was a starter at defensive back from 2006 to 2008. Sanders posted his finest season with the Blazers program as a senior in 2008 when he led the nation with seven interceptions. Sanders finished seventh on the team with 38 total tackles (23 solo, 15 assisted) including three pass break-ups in 12 games played. Sanders was selected to the All-Conference USA Defensive First Team following the 2008 season and finished with 15 career interceptions at UAB. The Pell City, Alabama native was highly regarded as UAB's best cover corner in 2008.
As a junior in 2007, Sanders started in all 12 games during the regular season and finished sixth on the team with 54 total tackles including 35 solo tackles. He led the program with three interceptions in '07 with two of his interceptions coming against Tulsa and one against Mississippi State. As a sophomore in 2006, Sanders started in all 12 games played and finished ninth on the team with 32 total tackles. Sanders recorded a season-high six tackles in the '06 season opener at Oklahoma. Sanders attended Pell City High School where he was an honorable mention 5A All-State selection as a senior at defensive back.
Austin Smith (5'10", 180 lbs.) played collegiately at Boise State from 2004 to 2007 and started for one season in 2005 at safety. As a backup defensive back in 2007, Smith finished with 29 total tackles with a forced fumble and an interception. Smith posted a career-high 13 total tackles against Nevada in '07 and returned seven kickoffs for 160 yards during the regular season.
In 2006, Smith posted 13 total tackles as a back-up defensive back along with one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Smith recorded two tackles in Boise State's BCS Bowl-clinching win over Nevada. Smith recorded a season-high four tackles against Wyoming and two tackles against Hawai'i in 2006.
Smith started all 13 games for the Broncos at safety in 2005. He finished fifth on the team with 51 total tackles including 1.5 sacks and five pass break-ups. Smith recorded five tackles and a sack against Fresno State in '05 and posted five tackles against Boston College in the MPC Computers Bowl. Smith recorded a 39-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown that led to a Broncos win over Idaho. The San Bernardino, CA native was selected to the preseason All-WAC Second Team as a punt returner by Athlon Sports before the start of the 2005 season.
"We are very excited to have two talented Division-1A college players in both Kevin and Austin. Kevin is a great coverage back and adds good speed while Austin provides good open-field tackling abilities. Kevin will certainly compete for a starting spot in our secondary this season and we will have Austin work primarily at strong safety during training camp." stated West Texas Roughnecks Head Coach Chris Williams.
As a reminder, players report to training camp on Friday, February 19, 2010 and practice starts on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at approximately 5:00 p.m. from the Mustang Bowl in Andrews, Texas.
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Indoor Football League Stories from February 17, 2010
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- Ice Renew Rivalry With Denver Titans On Thursday, February 18th - Colorado Crush
- Roughnecks Receive Commitment From UAB DB Kevin Sanders & Sign Boise State Safety Austin Smith - West Texas Roughnecks
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