SaberCats Make First Big Splash in Free Agency
September 29, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose SaberCats announced today the team has been assigned defensive backs Virgil Gray and Eric Crocker, along with wide receiver Jeremy Kelley. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Virgil Gray and Eric Crocker have proven to be two of the best playmaking defensive backs in the league," said Owner and Head Coach Darren Arbet. "And Jeremy Kelley is absolutely huge on the outside. He has the potential to become a big weapon for us."
Gray (5-10, 195, Rhode Island) is a five-year AFL veteran, having spent the 2014 season with the Pittsburgh Power. All-time, Gray currently sits eighth in league history with 46 career interceptions. Last season, he picked off 11 passes (tied fourth most in AFL) in 11 games, and led the league with 297 interception return yards. Gray also finished with 23 pass breakups, the most on the Power. Previously, he spent three seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. In 2013, Gray earned First-Team All-Arena honors while leading the team in tackles (93.0) and setting the team record for interceptions in a season with 15. In 2012, he saw action in 15 games, registering 81.0 tackles along with six interceptions and a team-high 22 pass breakups. In 2011, Gray appeared in every game for Arizona, picking up a team-high ten interceptions and 28 pass breakups. In 2010, he broke into the AFL with the Milwaukee Iron, collecting 67.0 tackles and four interceptions. Gray played four seasons of college football for the Rhode Island Rams. As a senior, he was named Atlantic-10 Football All-Conference Defensive Second-Team after collecting 47.0 tackles and two interceptions.
Crocker (6-2, 200, Arkansas Monticello) is a two-year AFL veteran, having played last season for the expansion Portland Thunder. The Stockton, California native appeared in all 18 games for the Thunder, picking up 52.0 tackles, 12 pass breakups and a team-high ten interceptions (tied-seventh most in AFL). In 2012, he saw action in 18 games for the San Antonio Talons while registering 70.5 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions. Crocker spent the 2013 season on the practice squad of the New York Jets of the National Football League. He played his college football at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he was named All-Great American Conference in 2011.
Kelley (6-6, 230, Maine) will be entering his second season in the AFL after spending the 2012 year with the Utah Blaze. As a member of the Blaze, Kelly appeared in eight games, hauling in 19 catches for 231 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2013, Kelly signed a futures contract with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. In 2014, Kelly was assigned to the Pittsburgh Power, but did not see any game action. He also saw action in the Canadian Football League in 2011, where he picked up 15 receiving yards in a brief stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kelly played collegiately for the University of Maine Black Bears, where he saw action in 26 games over four seasons.
Arena Football League Stories from September 29, 2014
- SaberCats Make First Big Splash in Free Agency - San Jose SaberCats
- Sharks Open Free Agency by Adding Demarcus Robinson - Jacksonville Sharks
- Shock Assigned Defensive Back Devon Dace - Spokane Shock
- Shock Assigned Trio of Rookies to Begin Free Agency Period - Spokane Shock
- New Orleans VooDoo Announce Open Tryout Date - New Orleans VooDoo
- Storm Sign Quarterback Jason Boltus - Tampa Bay Storm
- Revised: Orlando Predators Read to Students During United Way Day of Caring - Orlando Predators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
