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IFL Sioux Falls Storm

Storm Loaded with Rookie Talent for 2011

January 31, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm is excited to announce the signing of Johnny Johnson, A.J. Cooley Blake Wilson, Ryan DeFrancesco, Kendall Wright and David Earl for the 2011 season.

Johnny Johnson is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University. While at MSSU, Johnson was both a running back and wide receiver. In his last season with MSSU in 2009, Johnson played in ten games for the Lions, and rushed for 569 yards on 115 carries with seven touchdowns. He also had 25 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson was named the 2009 Missouri Southern Offensive MVP, and was named to the ALL MIAA Honorable Mention in 2008 and 2009.

A.J. Cooley will bring NFL experience with him to Sioux Falls. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Cooley as a rookie free agent immediately after the 2010 NFL Draft. He was invited to the Jaguars mini-camp in the spring of 2010. Cooley leaves Shorter University as the all-time leading rusher with 4,111 yards and 50 rushing touchdowns. He also holds every Shorter University rushing record, and was named an American Football Coaches Association All-American during the 2009 season.

A 2009 2nd team Daktronics All-Region player at Southwest Minnesota State, Blake

Wilson will bring his talents to the Storm this season. Playing mostly from the slot, Wilson racked up 21 touchdowns and just under 1900 yards in his college career. Wilson exploded in his senior year with 62 catches for 13 touchdowns and 842 yards. He earned a 2nd-Team All-NSIC selection in 2009 and an All-NSIC Honorable Mention in 2008.

Wright adds another weapon to the Storms passing game. Wright set a lot of marks at Northwest Missouri State, earning Daktronics Division II 2nd-Team All-American honors in 2008, and All-Region honors three times. Wright helped guide the Bearcats the NCAA Division II National Championship by leading the team in touchdown catches, yards, yards per catch, and receptions. He had 21 touchdowns and over 3000 receiving yards at NWMSU.

Earl played cornerback at North Dakota State in college, where he was a starter for his junior and senior seasons. He had 41 tackles, two interceptions, and broke up six passes during his senior campaign in 2007. While with the Wolfpack, Earl tallied 19 tackles and an interception in seven games played.

DeFrancesco will bolster the Storm offensive line after being named an NAFL All-Star in 2010. DeFrancesco played at West Virginia Wesleyan College before joining the Pittsburgh Colts for a pair of seasons in the Grassroots League. At center for the Colts, he anchored a high-powered offense to a Grassroots League Championship and helped guide the Colts to a winning season in the NAFL the next year.

"This is some great new talent that will be coming to camp," said Storm Owner, Todd Tryon. "I look for this group to push the vets in a very competitive camp."

2011 season tickets are now available and may be purchased at www.siouxfallsstorm.com or by calling the Storm office at (605) 274-6686.



Indoor Football League Stories from January 31, 2011


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.

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