Sycamore's Bryant Signs With BlueCats
February 19, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: The Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce the signing of DE/LB LaDrelle Bryant to a player contract with the BlueCats for the upcoming 2007 season. Bryant played linebacker for Indiana State and finished the 2005 season with 63 tackles, good for third on the team. In 2004 he finished second on the team with 101 tackles on his way to All-Gateway honors as well as being named to the All-Gateway Newcomer squad. He also led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss. Originally from Muncie, Indiana, Bryant sat out as a redshirt at Purdue in 2001 before transferring to Garden City Community College where he led the team with 93 tackles and 6 tackles for loss in 2003.
Bryant is a speedy defender with a nose for the ball and may pose match-up problems for the opposition. Top NFL Draft scouting sites had LaDrelle ranked as the #28 best OLB and projected him as a 7th round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. Gil Brandt, of NFL.com, reported his 40-yard dash times from his March 26th Indiana State pro day as being 4.48 seconds and 4.47 seconds while measuring a 10-foot-1 broad jump.
LaDrelle caught the attention of scout Ken Robinson just before the 2005 college season when Robinson was contributing scouting information for the Ottawa Renegades. When Robinson officially joined the staff he recommended Bryant to the Renegades Director of Scouting. Robinson stated, "There was some legitimate interest in LaDrelle but I think Ottawa wanted to evaluate him in person...It was unfortunate the decision the CFL made with the Renegades after so much work had been done to turn that franchise around."
A month after the CFL had decided to cancel Ottawa's season and search for new ownership, LaDrelle was signed by the Calgary Stampeders on May 16th, 2006. Robinson said, "I certainly never thought I'd have an opportunity to work with him once he was signed by another CFL team. I thought he'd be in Canada for maybe 2 years and then get signed by the NFL. I was totally shocked to see him available, but I believe it's only a matter of time before he's resigned by the CFL or gets brought in for an NFL tryout and never looks back. For now I'm excited about the opportunity we have here to closely evaluate him and the rest of the BlueCats players being assembled here. Whenever you can put together a group of players like we have here, with their backgrounds, it certainly should bring additional positive attention to the team from the AFL, CFL & NFL coaches and scouts. I believe that these players will thrive off of each other's determination, effort and excitement which will create a lot of options for them in the future," Robinson concluded.
Catch the Excitement of Evansville BlueCats professional indoor football with season tickets for the 2007 season. Get your tickets early to reserve your seat for next season. 2007 season ticket holders get 50% off on all BlueCats merchandise while supplies last. For ticket information or to purchase 2007 tickets, call the season ticket hotline at (812) 437-CATS or stop by the BlueCats office to pick your seat in person. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats and 2007 season tickets, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
• Discuss this story on the United Indoor Football Association message board...
United Indoor Football Association Stories from February 19, 2007
- BlueCats Sign Former Indiana State Standout - Evansville BlueCats
- UIF holding officiating clinics - UIF
- Sycamore's Bryant Signs With BlueCats - Evansville BlueCats
- Storm Add Players with Impressive Resumes - Sioux Falls Storm
- Extreme single-game tickets go on sale March 3 - Bloomington Extreme
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.
