Utah Blaze Announce Final Roster
Published on March 17, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - As the days of training camp continued to pass and the final week neared its conclusion, the Utah Blaze grinded through practice with a sense of urgency. Players clashed throughout the week, scratching and clawing with every ounce of energy to gain position on the depth chart. With only 24 roster spots available and an overflow of talent on the field, the process left a slim margin for error.
The week of practice reached its peak on Friday night with the team's annual Fan Fest, which featured a live intra-squad scrimmage in front of a crowd of faithful fans. While both sides of the ball enjoyed moments of success, it is evident the team has significantly upgraded its physical talent across the board with a new wave of strong, explosive athletes.
Utah added another quarterback midway through week one, landing former Canadian Football League and Spokane Shock signal caller Jason Boltus. Boltus showed a live arm throughout the second week of practice, taking a majority of the snaps while Tommy Grady recovered on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Grady and Boltus will have the luxury of throwing to a receiving corps that includes three wideouts measuring in at 6-4 and above. The Blaze brought back All-Arena performer Aaron Lesu é and added AFL veterans L.J. Castile and Brandon Thompkins, as well as rookies Chase Deadder and Mario Urrutia. In addition, fullback Ben Stallings returns to the backfield as Utah's all-time leading rusher.
The quarterbacks will be protected by an utterly massive offensive line. In fact, none of the five players Utah kept up front weighs less than 320 pounds. Antonio Narcisse and Neal Tivis return from last year's squad, while the rest of the group includes veteran Shannon Tevaga and rookies Jermarcus "Yoshi" Hardrick and Bryce Tennison.
On the opposite side of the ball, linebacker Joe Mortensen, defensive end Caesar Rayford and nose guard Keenan Mace return to lead the 2013 version of "Sack Lake City." Joining the group this season is explosive veteran pass rusher Mike Alston and rookie standout Luke Black.
The defensive secondary will be composed of returning starters David Hyland and Al Phillips, as well as rookies Maurice Leggett and Marcus Brown. Antwan Marsh appears to be in the best shape of his career and will return to the Blaze as the Jack linebacker.
With its opening day roster set, Utah will immediately begin preparations to kick off the season on the road against the Pittsburgh Power on Saturday, March 23rd.
CAMP STAR | OFFENSE
Wide Receiver Brandon Thompkins has been nearly impossible to defend due to his physical talent and veteran instincts. Now entering his third season in the Arena Football League, Thompkins understands how to use the angles of the AFL to create separation and beat an opponent. Combine that with superb quickness and the ability to cut on a dime, Thompkins can scorch any defensive back with his route running skills. Thompkins is a natural playmaker and is also a strong candidate to handle return duties for the Blaze in 2013.
CAMP STAR | DEFENSE
A full offseason of rest and recovery has brought Jack linebacker Antwan Marsh back to full strength after he battled injuries throughout much of the 2012 season. In fact, the time off appears to have done wonders for Marsh, who enters his fourth AFL season and looks better than ever. Marsh flies to the football and routinely punishes his opponent upon arrival. He's a fearless defender and displays vicious striking ability. Marsh's veteran knowledge allows him to play the game at a high speed due to his ability to read and react.
ROOKIE STANDOUT | OFFENSE
Jermarcus "Yoshi" Hardrick hails from the University of Nebraska - a school known for producing top-tier offensive linemen. In his first two weeks with the Blaze, Hardrick has displayed the athletic ability needed to neutralize opposing edge rushers, using his long arms and upper body strength to keep defenders out of the backfield. Hardrick constantly hustles on every down and possesses a truly aggressive playing style.
ROOKIE STANDOUT | DEFENSE
Defensive back Maurice Leggett has made a quick transition to Arena Football after playing four seasons in the National Football League. With outstanding size and athleticism, Leggett has the ability to lock down both the high motion man and stationary receivers. Leggett is an instant impact defender and should play a significant role in the secondary from day one.
OPENING DAY ROSTER
NAME POS HT WT COLLEGE EXP
Alston, Mike DL 6-2 250 Toledo 4
Black, Luke DL 6-5 275 Fairmont St R
Boltus, Jason QB 6-3 215 Hartwick 2
Brown, Marcus DB 6-1 195 Arkansas St R
Castile, LJ WR 6-4 220 Delta St 3
Deadder, Chase WR 6-5 225 Sacramento St R
Grady, Tommy QB 6-7 240 Utah 4
Hardrick, Jermarcus OL 6-5 320 Nebraska R
Hyland, David DB 6-0 203 Morehead St 3
Leggett, Maurice DB 6-0 195 Valdosta St R
Lesue, Aaron WR 5-10 200 Utah St 4
Mace, Keenan DL 6-3 305 Lindenwood 2
Marsh, Antwan LB 6-3 210 Pikeville 4
Mortensen, Joe MLB 6-0 270 Kansas 2
Narcisse, Antonio OL 6-2 340 Portland St 6
Phillips, Al DB 5-11 190 Wagner 4
Rayford, Caesar DL 6-7 270 Washington 4
Stallings, Ben FB 5-11 265 Lambuth 3
Tennison, Bryce OL 6-3 320 SMU R
Tevaga, Shannon OL 6-3 320 UCLA 3
Thompkins, Brandon WR 5-10 185 Arkansas St 3
Tivis, Neal OL 6-5 320 Abilene Christian 2
Trevino, Adrian K 5-11 190 Missouri Valley R
Urrutia, Mario WR 6-5 230 Louisville R
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