Varner Moves Up to AFL
Published on October 31, 2007 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(North Little Rock, AR) - Former Arkansas Twisters defensive back Tanner Varner has signed a contract with Grand Rapids of the Arena Football League.
Varner finished the 2007 season third on the team with 83.5 tackles. He also tied for the team lead with nine interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and was second with 20 pass breakups which earned him second team All-Conference honors. Varner was one-third of the Twisters vaunted secondary that was nicknamed "The Land Sharks".
"Tanner deserves this as much as anybody. We congratulate him and wish him the best," says Twisters General Manager Dick McDonald. "As one of the Land Sharks, he was able to give the team a presence in the secondary that had receivers thinking twice about going over the middle. Grand Rapids will now get that in the AFL"
The Northern Iowa standout ranked fourth in the league in interceptions and 10th in pass breakups. The Twisters set franchise records with 12 regular season wins and 33 interceptions while making the playoffs for a second straight year.
"We wish Tanner nothing but the best," says Twisters President Jack Lankford. "We're very thankful Tanner entertained and helped the Twisters win during his one year in Arkansas. Grand Rapids is getting an exciting and very talented player."
The Twisters continue to have players move up to the next level. Varner is the fourth Twisters' player since '06 to move on to the AFL. Former Twisters' players Byron Douzart, Kimani Jones and Steve Watson played in the AFL last season.
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