UFL Stars Sign NFL Futures Contracts
Published on January 14, 2011 under United Football League (UFL 1) News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Friday, January 14 - Some of the top players from the 2010 United Football League season have signed NFL Futures contracts with National Football League teams for the 2011 season.
So far since the conclusion of the 2010 UFL season, a total of 25 players have signed Futures contracts with the number expected to increase. Following the 2009 UFL season 15 players signed similar deals with NFL teams.
"The quality of player starring in the UFL clearly improved this past season as has been highlighted by the significant number of players signing to NFL active rosters, practice squads and now Futures contracts," said UFL Vice President of Football Administration BRENDAN ROWE. "We are delighted for these players that they are further progressing their football careers and will also highlight the opportunity given to them by playing in the UFL."
Among the highlights on the list of players who have signed NFL Futures contracts are Las Vegas Locos defensive end ADRIAN AWASOM and Florida Tuskers cornerback SIMEON CASTILLE, who have both signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and Hartford Colonials pair linebacker SIMONI LAWRENCE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and quarterback RYAN PERRILLOUX (New York Giants).
Awasom highlighted a second season with the Locos by winning a second consecutive UFL Championship and finished third among the UFL sack leaders with five, while Castille also appeared in the 2010 Championship game for the Tuskers and was second in the league with three interceptions. Lawrence finished 2010 as the Colonials' leading tackler with 48 stops, while teammate Perrilloux thrived under head coach and quarterbacks mentor CHRIS PALMER whose former club the New York Giants have inked him to a NFL Futures contract. Perrilloux saw back up action in all eight games and completed 33 of 69 pass attempts for 394 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
UFL players signed to NFL Future contracts as of January 13:
Adrian Awasom, DE, Las Vegas Locomotives, Minnesota Vikings - Awasom, a two-year member of the Locos, was an integral part of Las Vegas' second straight UFL championship team, finishing third in the league in sacks with five. He also had 24 total tackles and three passes defensed during the regular season, and had three total tackles, a half-tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in the Locos' 23-20 victory in the UFL Championship Game over the Florida Tuskers.
Jacob Bender, G, Hartford Colonials, Carolina Panthers - Bender signed with the Colonials on October 4, and played in six games, starting the last four at left guard. He was a part of the offensive line which helped running back Lorenzo Booker set a new UFL single-game rushing record with 147 yards in Week 7 at the Sacramento Mountain Lions.
Branndon Braxton, T, Las Vegas Locomotives, Cleveland Browns - Braxton moved into a bigger role for the Locos in 2010, starting all eight regular-season games and the UFL Championship Game at left tackle. This was Braxton's second season with the Locos, having served as a backup tackle in 2009.
Patrick Carter, WR, Hartford Colonials, Miami Dolphins - One of the top newcomers in the UFL in 2010, Carter was tied for sixth in the league with 23 catches, and fifth in the UFL in receiving yards with 336. He started the first five Colonials games at wide receiver, and had six catches for 74 yards in a Week 6 overtime loss at the Las Vegas Locomotives.
Simeon Castille, CB, Florida Tuskers, Minnesota Vikings - Castille developed into one of the top cornerbacks in the UFL in 2010, finishing second in the league in interceptions with three. Starting six regular-season games, he also led the Tuskers with seven pass breakups and was second on the team with 35 total tackles. Castille also started the UFL Championship Game, and broke up a pass.
Tyler Clutts, FB, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Cleveland Browns - A defensive end-turned long snapper-turned fullback, Clutts was the Mountain Lions' starting fullback throughout the 2010 season. He caught seven passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, and helped lead the way for running back Cory Ross to run for 435 yards and four touchdowns and earn 2010 UFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
James Develin, FB, Florida Tuskers, Cincinnati Bengals - Making a successful transition from college defensive lineman to professional fullback, Develin started the final three games of the 2010 season, including the UFL Championship Game. During the regular season, he caught three passes for 17 yards, returned a kickoff for 22 yards and had one tackle. In the United Football League championship game, he caught a pass for 26 yards.
Tyson DeVree, TE, Hartford Colonials, Cleveland Browns - DeVree ranked as one of the UFL's top tight ends in 2010. As a backup for the Colonials this fall (he started the final game of the season), DeVree tied for the league lead with three receiving touchdowns. He was fourth on Hartford with 18 catches, and added 174 receiving yards.
Kenny Ingram, LB, Hartford Colonials, New York Giants - A steady performer for the Colonials' defense in 2010, Ingram had 22 total tackles, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. He started seven of eight games at left outside linebacker for Hartford, and in a homecoming game in Week 9 at the Florida Tuskers, Ingram recorded four solo tackles.
Chris Jennings, RB, Hartford Colonials, New York Jets - Jennings signed with the Colonials on October 21, and ran 12 times for six yards. Was also a key performer for the Colonials on special teams.
Joey Larocque, LB, Omaha Nighthawks, New York Jets - Larocque spent the entire 2010 season with the Nighthawks, seeing action mostly on special teams. He ended the year with nine total tackles.
Simoni Lawrence, LB, Hartford Colonials, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - One of the UFL's top rookies in 2010, Lawrence finished as the Colonials' leading tackler with 48 total stops. Playing in all eight games and starting the final seven at right outside linebacker, he led the UFL in unassisted tackles with 35, and his 48 total tackles were tied for second in the UFL. Lawrence's best game came in Week 6 at the Las Vegas Locomotives, when he recorded 10 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
J Leman, LB, Florida Tuskers, San Diego Chargers - Leman made an immediate impact after joining the Tuskers on November 1. Playing in the final three regular-season games for Florida, including two starts, Leman recorded 15 total tackles and a pass breakup. Starting in the 2010 UFL Championship Game at right outside linebacker, Leman had six total tackles.
Ryan Perrilloux, QB, Hartford Colonials, New York Giants - Perrilloux made great strides in his rookie season this fall. As the only UFL backup quarterback to see time in all eight games in 2010, Perrilloux was 33-for-69 for 394 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 75.4 passer rating, and ran 10 times for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Jason Pociask, TE, Florida Tuskers, Dallas Cowboys - Pociask was a valuable member of the Tuskers' offense, starting five of eight regular-season games and the 2010 UFL Championship Game. During the regular season, he caught 12 catches for 153 yards to lead Florida tight ends.
Maurice Price, WR, Florida Tuskers, Washington Redskins - Price was a key cog in Florida's offense during the 2010 season, playing the entire regular season and the UFL Championship Game. He was third on the team with 16 catches and 172 receiving yards, and added two carries for seven yards.
Fabrizio Scaccia, K, Sacramento Mountain Lions, San Francisco 49ers - Scaccia made his mark in the UFL in his first outdoor professional season, finishing second in the UFL in kick scoring with 53 points. He was 12-for-16 on field goals, including a league-record-tying 54-yarder in Week 2 at home against the Florida Tuskers, and 17-for-17 on extra points
Herb Taylor, T, Las Vegas Locomotives, Denver Broncos - Taylor joined the Locos on November 1, and was with the team for the final two regular-season games and the 2010 UFL Championship Game.
Rendrick Taylor, FB, Omaha Nighthawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Taylor started all eight games at fullback for the Nighthawks, and scored the first touchdown in Nighthawks history, a 10-yard pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia in the first quarter of the franchise's first game on September 24 against the Hartford Colonials at Rosenblatt Stadium. For the season, Taylor caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, and carried once for two yards.
Michael Tepper, T, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Indianapolis Colts - Tepper had two different stints with the Mountain Lions this fall, signing on September 21, being waived on October 12 and being re-signed on October 19. He was on Sacramento's active roster for six games.
Brian Toal, LB, Las Vegas Locomotives, New York Jets - In his second season with the Locos, Toal once again was a key contributor as a backup linebacker and special teamer. He had two total tackles during the regular season, and had two total tackles in the 2010 UFL Championship Game.
C.J. Wallace, S, Las Vegas Locomotives, San Diego Chargers - As the Locos' starting strong safety for all eight regular-season games, Wallace finished third on the team with 42 total tackles and added four passes defensed and an interception. In the 2010 UFL Championship Game, he recorded six total tackles and two pass breakups.
Joe West, WR, Sacramento Mountain Lions, St. Louis Rams - West, in his second season with the organization, started the final three games of 2010 and led the Mountain Lions in yards per catch (15.4). He was fourth on the team with 17 catches and 262 yards, and added a touchdown catch.
Drew Willy, QB, Las Vegas Locomotives, New York Jets - Willy took over for an injured Tim Rattay and started three games for the Locos. During the regular season, he was 57-for-96 for 535 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a 77.4 passer rating, and he added 31 yards and a touchdown rushing on 12 attempts.
Rod Windsor, WR, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Cleveland Browns - Windsor played his first outdoor professional season in 2010, and was one of the top wideouts in the UFL. The former Arena Leaguer finished the UFL season third in the league in receiving yards (379) and fifth in the league in catches (25). His three touchdowns also tied him for fourth in the UFL during the regular season.
United Football League Stories from January 14, 2011
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