Soul Sign Cooper, Hoggard from Open Tryout
October 25, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (October 25, 2011) - The Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League announce the assignments of defensive back Jesse Cooper (5'7, 174, Bloomsburg), and wide receiver Alfonso Hoggard III (5'3, 150, Clarion) from the team's Open Tryout this past weekend. Over 200 participants attended Saturday's workout with hopes of receiving a contract from the Soul.
"Both players were a pleasant surprise," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "Jesse displayed his physical presence on defense by breaking up passes and challenging wide receivers on every route. Alfonso displayed his great hands, elusiveness in the route running and added '4.2' forty speed. Both players will help make training camp very competitive in February."
"Last season we had three players from open tryouts turn into full-time starters - Alfonso and Jesse earned that same opportunity," said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines. "These tryouts have clearly been successful and we will look to have another one at the end of January 2012."
Cooper, a Williamstown, NJ native, played for the Reading Express (2011) and took home the Special Teams Player of the Year Award. He led the team in all-purpose yards in both the regular season (713) and playoffs (298). He also tallied 29.0 total tackles, six interceptions, and one interception going for a touchdown to go along with one sack. He attended Bloomsburg University (2006-09) where he was a four-year starter, and during the 2008 season was named first team All-PSAC as both a defensive back and a specialist. Cooper was also named Division II Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey.
Hoggard, a Philadelphia native, was a four-year starter at Clarion University (2007-10). Standing at only 5'3 and 150 pounds, many have quickly dismissed the talented young athlete who continues to defy odds. In 2010, he was awarded PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week after torching his opponent, rushing for 179 yards on just 17 carries (10.5 YPC) and two touchdowns. His standout season came in 2009, when he rushed for 1,046 yards on 224 carries adding 17 touchdowns. For his efforts that season, he was awarded the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year, the first time since 1996 that Clarion had an athlete achieve that award.
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