Valor Announce 24-Man Week 1 Roster
April 23, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington Valor Head Coach Benji McDowell announced today that the team has finalized its roster heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
"We think we have a great group heading into this season," McDowell said. "We have a lot of contributors returning from last year and a good mix of new faces. So many of these guys had an outstanding couple weeks of training camp. We've put ourselves in a position to win games and now it's time to go out and start doing it."
Washington's roster is highlighted by several key contributors returning from last year's championship run, including quarterback Arvell Nelson, defensive lineman James Atoe and offensive lineman Anthony Parker. Nelson, who was named ArenaBowl XXXI Most Valuable Player, begins his second season with the Valor and his eighth in the AFL. Atoe has appeared in 17 games over the last two seasons, seeing action on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Parker was named First Team All-Arena for his performance in 2017 and started all nine games he appeared in during the 2018 season.
The Valor added veterans to the roster, highlighted by defensive back Marrio Norman and defensive lineman Leon Mackey. Norman joins Washington after spending last year with the Albany Empire, recording 67.5 total tackles and three interceptions on his way to the second First Team All-Arena nod of his career. Mackey begins his third season in the AFL, having spent 2014 and 2016 with the Arizona Rattlers. He recorded two sacks in an ArenaBowl win against San Jose in 2014.
Four members of the Valor's roster will see their first AFL action this season: wideout Dezmon Epps, defensive lineman Malik Forrester defensive back Jadar Johnson and offensive lineman Kasimili Uitalia.
Below is the Valor's full roster as it currently stands:
WASHINGTON VALOR ROSTER
# POS NAME H W DOB EXP COLLEGE
90 DL James Atoe 6'7 375 10.1.1991 2 Washington
52 DL Zack Bullock 6'4 260 2.10.1993 2 South Florida
9 WR Jared Dangerfield 6'3 205 8.9.1992 1 Western Kentucky
24 DB Svante Davenport 5'11 190 2.15.1990 1 North Alabama
14 DB Oshay Dunmore 6'3 215 3.16.1994 1 Southern Oregon
13 WR Dezmon Epps 5'9 180 8.21.1992 R Idaho
10 QB Jerod Evans 6'3 230 1.6.1994 1 Virginia Tech
97 DL Malik Forrester 6'1 310 9.11.1996 R Fresno State
66 OL Deveric Gallington 6'3 320 5.6.1990 3 Texas Tech
50 LB James Gordon 6'2 270 8.1.1991 4 Buffalo
94 DL Roderick Henderson 6'1 330 12.29.1992 1 Alabama State
17 LB Alvin Ray Jackson 6'1 215 9.27.1980 9 Albany State
27 DB Jadar Johnson 6'1 200 6.29.1995 R Clemson
35 DL Leon Mackey 6'4 260 2.28.1989 3 Texas Tech
8 WR Douglas McNeil III 6'3 210 7.22.1988 2 Bowie State
2 QB Arvell Nelson 6'5 230 9.27.1988 6 Texas Southern
21 DB Marrio Norman 6'0 205 8.10.1986 7 Coastal Carolina
5 DB Fredrick Obi 6'1 200 9.7.1990 4 San Diego
72 OL Anthony Parker 6'6 340 3.2.1989 7 Western Michigan
19 WR Josh Reese 6'0 185 1.3.1991 2 Central Florida
60 OL Siosifa Tufunga 6'3 320 5.14.1993 1 Washington
71 OL Kasimili Uitalia 6'2 320 12.28.1989 R Western Michigan
18 WR Justin Wilson 6'0 180 1.24.1990 2 Delaware State
4 DL Curtis Young 6'2 290 1.8.1987 5 Cincinnati
Single game tickets for the 2019 Washington Valor regular season, presented by Capital One, are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase single game tickets may visit the team website or call 202-661-5005. The Valor will play six regular season home games, all at Capital One Arena, including the team's home opener on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. against the Atlantic City Blackjacks and the regular season finale on Saturday, July 20 at 3:30 p.m. against the Columbus Destroyers.
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