Utah Adds Former Shock Pass Rusher Alston
November 14, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze added another quality pass rusher to its already potent arsenal, as the franchise announced it has agreed to terms with defensive end Mike Alston. Now entering his fourth year in the AFL, Alston spent the previous two seasons with the Spokane Shock.
Alston (6-2, 250, Toledo) began 2012 with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League before joining Spokane midway through the season. In just six games, he posted four sacks while adding two quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
During the 2011 season, Alston played under current Blaze Defensive Coordinator Rob Keefe, who previously served as the Head Coach of the Shock. Alston started four games before suffering a season-ending injury and totaled 10.5 tackles (eight solo) with 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery.
"Mike approaches the game the way a professional should," said Head Coach Ron James. "He constantly works hard and plays with a lot of passion and energy. We are well aware of Mike's ability as a pass rusher having played against him the past few years. I'm happy we were able to add him to our defense."
"I'm very excited to come to Utah. I know the fans and the city are amazing," Alston said. "It's always been a great environment to play in. We have a great quarterback in Tommy Grady and a great coaching staff. I look forward to being with Coach Keefe again and I just want to be a leader and contributor to the team in any way that I can. The ultimate goal is to bring a championship to Utah."
Alston entered the Arena Football League in 2010 as a member of the Chicago Rush. In his rookie season, he played in 13 games and registered 27 tackles (14 solo), two sacks, one interception and two pass breakups. Prior to his time in Chicago, Alston played for the Mahoning Valley Thunder of the af2.
A native of Ohio, Alston played collegiately at the University of Toledo, where he still ranks fifth in school history in sacks (21.5), as well as seventh in tackles for loss (36.5). After earning first-team All-MAC honors in his final two seasons, Alston signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2007.
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