Post by DiamondThief on Oct 13, 2014 19:42:45 GMT -8
Thunder signees (l-r): Matt Pierce, Remond Willis and Brady Beeson.
The Thunder have made their first impact in free agency, adding three rookies to the off-season roster. Defensive back Matt Pierce and linebacker Remond Willis will be new to arena football, while kicker Brady Beeson has two years of experience in the Indoor Football League.
Pierce, 5'11" and 190 lbs, started four years at Valdosa St. University (Georgia), including during the school's 2012 NCAA Division II national championship season. He earned all-American honors his senior season while recording . He has spent time with the NFL's Tenessee Titans and the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Willis, 6'2" and 250, attended Tennessee St., where he racked up a combined 139 tackles over his junior and senior years. He spend his first two years at the University of Illinios, having been named a freshman All-American in 2005. He also spent time in the CFL with stints with the Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Beeson, 6'1" and 215, attended the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota where, among his other accomplishments, he set the school record for points by a kicker with 79. He has spent the past two seasons with the Tri-Cities Fever of the IFL. He is expected to compete with returner Zach Ramirez to assume the kicking duties for the Thunder's 2015 season.
Of the signings, Thunder Coach Mike Hohensee said this: "We're exciting to bring these talented players to Portland. Although Matt and Remond don't have arena experience, they have demonstrated the type of skills that should transfer to our game. Brady's a talented kicker with indoor experience who should make the competition at his position very interesting."
Additionally, the team put wide receiver Jeffrey Solomon on League Suspension, effectively making him a free agent.
- ANM
Graphic courtesy of David.
