Post by David on Sept 6, 2016 11:51:37 GMT -8
WR Orlandus Harris (image credit: Carlos T. Miranda/The Pantagraph)
9.6.16-
The Spokane Empire added a veteran wide receiver with indoor football experience, announcing the signing of WR Orlandus Harris to the 2017 roster.
Technically speaking, Harris (6'1'', 200 lbs) will be classified as a rookie by IFL standards, but he's made a name for himself in other indoor football leagues.
Last season, Harris was a member with the Bloomington Edge of the Champions Indoor Football league (CIF). He led the Edge in all 3 major receiving categories, recording 70 receptions for 830 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 70 receptions and 830 receiving yards were both ranked 4th (out of 12 teams) in the CIF, while his 18th touchdowns were tied for 8th. Harris was also an impact player on special teams, returning 44 kicks for 850 yards and 1 touchdown. In 2014, he was also a member of the Edge while the team competed in the X-League Indoor Football league (XIFL).
Empire Head Coach Adam Shackleford stated that Harris gained "valuable experience" in his two seasons in Bloomington in the stated in the Empire's press release. He also praised Harris's skills that allow him to possess "the ability to stretch the field vertically" and is "very good in the open field at making guys miss."
Harris joins a 2017 Empire roster that has recently re-signed two of its three top wide receivers in Samuel Charles and J.J. Hayes.
Prior to his professional indoor football career, Harris played the majority of his college football career at Eastern Kentucky. From 2009-2011, Harris played in 20 games for the Colonels, hauling in 90 receptions for 1,378 yards and 8 touchdowns. Like his professional career in Bloomington, he was a key contributor on special teams, returning 21 kicks for 408 yards. In 2010, he earned All-Ohio Valley Conference second team honors, leading the Colonels with 56 receptions for 940 yards and 7 touchdowns. His 56 receptions ranked third in the OVC and his 940 yards ranked second.
A knee injury ended his 2011 season, which would result in him transferring to Glenville State College to finish out his collegiate career.
Former Colts Pick Joins Empire
LB Andrew Jackson (image credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
On September 1st, the Empire announced the signing of LB Andrew Jackson to the 2017 roster.
Jackson (6'1'', 245 lbs) brings a high degree of talent with him to Spokane, having recently played in the NFL. He was a 6th Round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 NFL Draft. In 13 games, Jackson recorded 10 total tackles and 1 sack.
He played his college football at Western Kentucky from 2010-2013. He took over the starting position as the Hilltoppers' middle linebacker his sophomore year, playing in 12 games and recording 109 total tackles (17 for loss), 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception. His breakout season resulted in his earning First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
In his junior season, he led the Hilltoppers with 122 total tackles (16.5 for loss), 2.0 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles, earning First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors for the second consecutive year. His stellar play helped lift Western Kentucky to an appearance in the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, the first FBS bowl in school history. He followed up his junior campaign with 95 total tackles (8.5 for loss).
Empire Head Coach Adam Shackleford made it clear in the team's press release that Jackson was a talented linebacker, stating that he was "a game changer at the linebacker position and causes havoc in the backfield of the opposing offense." Shackleford also made the point of Jackson's desire to get back to the NFL, where he has not played since the conclusion of the 2014 season. "He is working hard to get back to the NFL, and we believe that we can be that avenue for him,” he said.
- DKH
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