Talented Secondary Lines up for Edge Season
February 6, 2014 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Bloomington Edge News Release
The Bloomington Edge have signed a talented group of defensive backs for the upcoming Champions Professional Indoor Football season.
Cornerbacks Caleb Young, Alex Otoo, Eric Fisher and Amir Madison; cornerback/safety Cody Acree; and safeties Mitch Moore, Eric Tapley and Taghji Robertson have all committed to suit up for the Edge when pre-season camp opens later this month.
Young recorded five interceptions in his rookie season last year with the Edge after leading Briar Cliff University in interceptions in his junior and senior seasons. "Caleb is one of those guys that seems to be in the right place at the right time to make plays," said Edge head coach John Johnson.
Otoo played with the San Angelo Bandits last year with three interceptions and six break-ups, after playing collegiately at Hofstra University and Emporia State University, where he was a four-time player of the week in the 2006 season. "Alex is a veteran and has been in Bloomington before, and he is big, fast, and physical," said Johnson. "He looks like a safety but can play like a corner, and he is a great asset to our defense."
Moore's professional indoor experience includes time in Bloomington as well as with the Edge's home opener opponent, the Omaha Beef. "Mitch is a veteran to our team and extremely atheletic and explosive," said Johnson. "He brings a lot to the table for our team."
Fisher played his rookie season with the Edge in 2013 after a standout career at Illinois College, where he earned Midwest Conference and regional honors. "Eric came in and played some good football for us in his rookie campaign," said Johnson. "Now that he has a season under his belt we feel he will really flourish."
Acree stood out at Millikin University where he led the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in interceptions in his sophomore and senior seasons and led the league in break-ups as a senior, finishing his career in 2011 as second in Big Blue history in pickoffs. - "Cody stood out at our tryout and made some great plays," said Johnson. "We are excited to see what he will do when camp starts."
Madison was recently released from the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League and has also spent time in camps of the AFL's San Jose SaberCats and the Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions. "Amir is a great cover guy and can go get the ball when its in the air," said Johnson. "He has indoor experience and we believe he can have an impact on the field."
Tapley returns to the Edge after registering 65 tackles last season, second on the team and 12th in the CPIFL. "Eric is a big, physical safety that can hit with the best of them," said Johnson. "He has roots here in Bloomington and is another excellent player we have pulled from the local talent pool."
Robertson played in the talent-rich northern California junior college scene, where he was a Golden Gate Conference and Northern California Junior College first team selection after recording 65 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass break-ups and one forced fumble in two seasons at Chabot Junior College. ""Tajghi is a true free safety, he reads offenses well and knows how to play in zone coverage," said Johnson. "We are expecting him to make some plays this year."
The Edge open camp in the third week of February before the season opener on March 7 at the Salina Bombers. The Edge home opener is Saturday, March 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the Omaha Beef at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Season tickets and group and multi-game discounts are on sale now by calling 309-434-2980. Information on the Edge can be found on Facebook and Twitter as well as www.bloomingtonedge.com.
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Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from February 6, 2014
- Talented Secondary Lines up for Edge Season - Bloomington Edge
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