Sharks Add Defensive Back LaRoche Jackson
April 21, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
Jacksonville Sharks Defensive Back LaRoche Jackson
(Jacksonville Sharks, Credit: Joshua Phillips)
JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks announced Tuesday that defensive back LaRoche Jackson has been assigned to the Jacksonville roster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 30-year-old Jackson (5'11", 195) returns to Jacksonville as he is set to begin his fifth season in the Arena Football League. A fixture in the Sharks' lineup during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Jackson spent each of the last two seasons with the Cleveland Gladiators.
In 2014, Jackson played in 15 of the Gladiators 18 games, leading the team with 105.5 total tackles (88 solo), adding 5.5 tackles for loss to lead all Gladiator defensive backs. Jackson also pulled in three interceptions - returning one for a touchdown - forced two fumbles, recovered three fumbles and recorded seven pass breakups. Jackson saw action in all three of Cleveland's playoff games last season, registering 8.5 tackles and a pass breakup along the Gladiators' road to an appearance in ArenaBowl XXVII.
The previous season, Jackson joined the Gladiators early in the season after competing in Jacksonville's training camp. In his first year with the Gladiators, Jackson led his team with 85 total tackles and four fumble recoveries, adding five interceptions, nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
In Jackson's initial stint with the Sharks, he appeared in 35 of a possible 36 regular season games spanning the 2011 and 2012 campaigns. Leading Jacksonville in tackles during both seasons, Jackson set a franchise record with 119 total tackles as an AFL rookie in 2011. That season, he also finished second among Sharks with 10 pass breakups, also contributing six interceptions and two fumble recoveries. During Jacksonville's run to the ArenaBowl XXIV title, Jackson racked up 30 total tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception. The following season, Jackson finished with a team-high total of 97 tackles (84 solo) and ranked second on the team with four interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
Over the course of his four-year AFL career, Jackson has totaled 406.5 tackles (346 solo), 12.0 tackles for loss, 18 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles and 40 pass breakups. He has also seen time as a kick returner, totaling 697 yards and a touchdown on 22.5 runbacks.
A native of Irwinton, Georgia, Jackson attended Clark Atlanta University.
The Sharks also announced Tuesday that defensive back Keiron Jones has been placed on recallable reassignment. Following the moves, the Jacksonville roster remains at the League maximum of 24 active players.
Images from this story
 Jacksonville Sharks Defensive Back LaRoche Jackson (Joshua Phillips) |
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from April 21, 2015
- Portland Faces 4-0 SaberCats in Second Pacific Division Match-Up - Portland Thunder
- Spokane Shock Game Notes - Week 5 vs. Orlando Predators - Spokane Shock
- Sharks Add Defensive Back LaRoche Jackson - Jacksonville Sharks
- Shock to host Orlando Predators this Saturday - Spokane Shock
- Hippeard Named Offensive Player of Week 4 - Orlando Predators
- Tiger Jones Wins Cutters Catch of the Week - Jacksonville Sharks
- Hippeard, Kellem, and Windsor Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Storm faces Cleveland Gladiators, Friday April 24 at Quicken Loans Arena - Tampa Bay Storm
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.
Other Recent Jacksonville Sharks Stories
- Week Six Preview: Sharks vs Knight Hawks
- What You Need to Know: Decades Night
- Thank You from the Sharks
- Panthers Win in Sharks Home Opener
- Week Four Preview: Sharks vs Panthers
