Shock Sign Pair of DBs in Free Agency Period
October 13, 2015 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane Shock Signees Robert Brown and Demetruce McNeal with the Cedar Rapid Titans
(Spokane Shock, Credit: RKN Photography, Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
SPOKANE, Washington (October 13, 2015) - The Shock have signed a pair of former Cedar Rapid Titans defensive backs to their 2016 roster during the IFL's free agency period in Robert Brown and Demetruce McNeal.
Robert Brown (DB, 5-10, 175, Union) joins the Shock for his third IFL season after playing his first two years in Cedar Rapids. In 12 games during the 2015 season, Brown led the IFL with nine missed field goal returns for 268 yards and one touchdown while adding 30 kick returns for 561 yards and two scores. On defense he recorded 31 total tackles, one interception and five pass break-ups. During his rookie season in 2014 Brown played in 11 games and tallied 27 total tackles, one interception, two pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He also added 39 kick returns for 758 yards and two touchdowns. Brown played his collegiate career at Union College (NY) where he recorded 182 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, eight blocked kicks, and six forced fumbles. Brown is originally from Daytona, Florida.
Demetruce McNeal (DB, 6-2, 200, Auburn) joins the Shock for his second season as a member of the IFL. During his rookie campaign in 2015 with Cedar Rapids McNeal saw action in 11 games and recorded 59.5 total tackles (second on team), three interceptions, two pass break-ups, and one forced fumble. He also added 35 kick returns for 643 yards and four touchdowns. Prior to his IFL debut, McNeal spent time with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. During his senior season of collegiate football as a transfer at West Alabama, McNeal tied for the team-lead with 63 total tackles (40 solo), three interceptions, and seven pass break-ups. He started his collegiate career at the University of Auburn where he was a two-year starter at free safety (2011, 2012). During his three seasons with the Tigers he saw action in a total of 37 contests as he racked up 188 total tackles. McNeal played his prep career at Banneker High School in College Park, Georgia.
"During the free agency period one of our goals was to solidify our secondary," said Shock Head Coach Adam Shackleford. "Robert and Demetruce each add a combination of athleticism and experience that will help us immediately, plus are both talented special teams players. We look forward to having both of them join us in 2016."
During the 2015 IFL season, Brown and McNeal were a lethal special team duo as each finished in the top four in the league in kick return average. Brown finished the season ranked third (18.7 yards per return) and McNeal finished the second ranked fourth (18.4). As a team, the Titans finished the season ranked first overall in the category (17.8).
Images from this story
 Spokane Shock Signees Robert Brown and Demetruce McNeal with the Cedar Rapid Titans (RKN Photography, Cliff Jette/The Gazette) |
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