Steel Acquires Former Duck Lyerla
March 11, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Steel News Release
Colt Lyerla with the Oregon Ducks
(Portland Steel)
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Steel have completed a trade with the Arizona Rattlers, acquiring former Oregon Duck standout WR Colt Lyerla in exchange for OL Jordan Mudge, the Arena Football League offices announced late Thursday evening.
"Colt is a tremendous talent," Steel head coach Ron James stated. "We're eager to see how his skills translate to the arena game."
Lyerla (6-4, 245, Oregon) played in 28 games, starting 12 times during three seasons with the Ducks between 2011 and 2013, catching 34 passes for 565 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lyerla's best season for Oregon came in 2012, when the Hillsboro native hauled in 25 passes for 392 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Ducks to an eventual victory at the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.
Following his time at Oregon, Lyerla was signed as an undrafted free agent the Green Bay Packers in May 2014. An injury during a non-contact drill at Packers training camp curtailed his time in Green Bay, as Lyerla was released prior to the start of the 2014 NFL season. Lyerla was later assigned as a member of the Rattlers on November 5, 2015.
Lyerla attended nearby Hillsboro High School, playing both football and basketball for the Spartans. As a junior in 2009, Lyerla led Hillsboro to a class 5A state championship in football, having rushed for 1,543 yards and 26 touchdowns, while racking up 843 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns that year. Lyerla was named state MVP, selected as the Pacific Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and also earned 2009 All-State honors at both running back and linebacker. Lyerla was also named to the class 6A All-State first-team at running back the next year.
OL Jordan Mudge joined the Portland organization last season via a trade with the San Jose SaberCats on March 19, 2015. Mudge featured in nine games for Portland in 2015 as a part of the fifth best offensive front in the AFL, before being placed IR in Week 11.
2016 Steel Training Camp is underway, with practice Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. from the PDX Sports Center (8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97225). All training camp practices are open to the public, and media availability will begin at noon (12:00 p.m.) on every practice day. Interested media and photographers may send credential requests via email to rboelke@arenafootball.com.
The Steel open their 2016 AFL season at home against the Arizona Rattlers on Friday, April 1. Kickoff at Moda Center is set for 7:00 p.m., and fans can watch the game nationally via the CBS Sports Network.
Images from this story
 Colt Lyerla with the Oregon Ducks |
Arena Football League Stories from March 11, 2016
- Sharks Add Linebacker Dexter Jackson - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks Add Four Rookies to Roster - Jacksonville Sharks
- One More Day Until We Break Out The Pads - Tampa Bay Storm
- Steel Acquires Former Duck Lyerla - Portland Steel
- Sharks Add Defensive Back David Hyland - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks Add Two Veteran ArenaBowl Champions - Jacksonville Sharks
- Jacksonville Acquires Wide Receiver L.J. Castile - Jacksonville Sharks
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