Post by David on Apr 27, 2016 22:52:02 GMT -8
4.27.16 -
The Spokane Empire enter Friday's game against the Tri-Cities Fever banged up at defensive line and wide receiver. As a result, the team announced a couple of transactions to its active roster, singing defensive lineman D.J. Yendrey and wide receiver Diondre Borel.
Borel (6'0'', 195 lbs, Utah State) has familiarity with the arena/indoor game. He played in 7 games with the ArenaBowl XXVIII Champion San Jose SaberCats in 2015, recording 8 catches for 79 yards and 1 touchdown. He also played defense for the SaberCats, registering 4.0 total tackles (3 solo).
Before joining the SaberCats, Borel played his collegiate football career as QB of Utah State. He was a multi-positional player for the Aggies, serving as both the starting QB and the team's punter. In 3 seasons, he threw for 6,698 yards, 36 TDs and 27 INTs. After college, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2011. The Packers converted him to wide receiver and he spent the season on the team's practice squad. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and spent several weeks on their practice squad before he was released. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans shortly thereafter. He was released by the Titans during pre-season cuts in 2013 and would eventually sign with San Jose in December 2014.
The signing of Borel is likely an insurance policy as leading WR JJ Hayes suffered an injury against Tri-Cities last weekend. Borel can also serve in a variety of positions for the Empire, including defensive back and quarterback.
To make room for Borel, Spokane placed RB Andrew Pierce (5'9'', 210 lbs, Delaware) on the Refuse to Report List. Pierce, who was trying out for the failed Major League Football league earlier this season, returned to the Empire in early April but did not suit up the past two games.
Yendrey (6'4'', 280 lbs) is a rookie defensive lineman out of Texas State. Prior to joining the Empire, Yendrey played college football at Texas Christian University where he received Honorable Mention All-Mountain West in 2010 and 2011. In three seasons with the Horned Frogs, he played in 39 games, registered 70 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, 8.0 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 3 fumble recoveries and was part of TCU's 2011 BCS team that beat Wisconsin 21-19 in the Rose Bowl. Yendrey would transfer to Texas State after the 2011 season, where eventually playing for them in 2013. In his lone season with the Bobcats, he played in 7 games and registered 20 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
Yendrey fills the roster spot of DL Toby Jackson (6'4'', 265 lbs, Central Florida), who was injured in last week's 52-39 victory over the Tri-Cities Fever. Jackson has appeared in 6 games, recording 14.5 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
- DKH
Images Courtesy of Jason Miller/Getty Images (Borel) and the Victoria Advocate/victoriaadvocate.com (Yendrey)
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