Post by David on Sept 30, 2015 22:32:56 GMT -8
9.30.15 -
In the last 12 days of September, the Shock continued to build their roster for the 2016 season, signing 8 players and two coaching hires on Adam Shackleford's coaching staff.
Here's the news around the Shock, with the date of the announcements included in order.
September 22:
(image credit: Spokane Shock)
The Shock bolstered up their defense with the signings of Michael Reynolds, Ronnell Lewis and Ben Perry.
Reynolds is a 6-1, 240 lb linebacker out of Kansas and is a rookie in the IFL. He played his entire collegiate career as a member of the Kansas Jayhawks, playing in a total of 47 games. In his junior season, Reynolds tallied 37 total tackles and led the Jayhawks with 6.5 sacks. In his senior season in 2014, Reynolds ranked 4th in the nation and 1st in the Big 12 Conference with 5 forced fumbles. He also led all Kansas defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.
Lewis is a 6-3, 270 lb defensive end out of Oklahoma. As a member of the sooners, Lewis played in 34 games, recording 118 total tackles (20.5 for loss), 10 sacks, 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups from 2009-2011. Although he's a rookie in the IFL, he's played professional football on several different levels. He was a 4th round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2012 NFL Draft, appearing in 8 games and recording 2 tackles. He was cut by the Lions prior to the 2013 season. Two weeks later, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL on a practice roster agreement. He was released a month later. In November, he was signed by the Oklahoma Defenders of the Champions Indoor Football League. In the fall of 2014, Lewis played for the Boston Brawlers of the FXFL. In 2015, he signed with the Spokane Shock but was later traded to the Los Angeles KISS in exchange for WR Rod Harper.
Perry is a 6-5, 280 lb defensive lineman out of Minnesota. He's a rookie in the IFL and spent his entire collegiate career as a member of the Golden Gophers, playing in 35 total games.
September 24:
(image credit: Spokane Shock)
The Shock announced the hiring of Ameer Ismail as Defensive Coordinator & Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Ismail was the Defensive Coordinator of the Tri-Cities Fever in 2015 and a member of current Shock head coach Adam Shackleford's staff. Under Ismail, the Fever defense gave up an average of 213.6 ypg, which was 3rd (out of 10th) in the IFL. They also ranked 4th in the IFL in rushing defense (73.9 ypg), 3rd in pass defense (139.7 ypg), and 3rd in pass defensive efficiency, limiting quarterbacks to a 97.5 QBR.
Shackleford had nothing but praise for Ismail in the Shock's press release, stating "Ameer has had three very successful seasons as a defensive coordinator and proven that he is one of the top young defensive minds in indoor football. We’re looking forward to having him on our staff and utilizing his experience to build a great football team.”
Prior to joining Shackleford's staff in Tri-City, Ismail got his coaching start with the Cedar Rapids Titans, commanding a Top 5 defense that went 11-3 in 2014. Before his transition into coaching, Ismail played 3 seasons in the IFL with the Tri-Cities Fever (2010), Bloomington Edge (2012) and Chicago Slaughter (2013). In his 3-year IFL career, he was a First Team All-IFL player twice and won IFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. Overall, he recorded 357 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 6 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles.
Ismail played college football at Western Michigan University and spent some time in the NFL as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars. Currently during the IFL's off season, Ismail is a defensive assistant for his alma mater, coaching linebackers. Like his position with the Shock, he's an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
September 26:
(image credit: Spokane Shock)
The Shock continued to build on lineman on both sides of the football, announcing the signings of Tonga Takai, Mauola Malaga, and Isaiah Tuiasosopo. All three have had cups of coffee with NFL teams in 2015.
Takai is a 6-2, 320 lb defensive lineman out of Montana. This will be his rookie season in the IFL. He spent his entire four year career as a member of the Griz, playing in a total of 41 games from 2011-2014. He recorded 117 total career tackles (14.5 for loss), 7 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his career, earning All-Big Sky honors twice. In 2015, Takai earned an invitation to NFL rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs, but did not make the final roster.
Malaga is a 6-2, 340 lb two-way lineman out of Alcorn State. He'll be a rookie this upcoming season. As a member of the Braves, he played in 26 total games, playing both guard and defensive line. On the defensive side of the ball, Malaga recorded a total of 36 tackles (4.5 for loss), 1 interception, 1 pass breakup and 1 sack. Prior to joining the Shock, Malaga earned an invitation to NFL rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs, but like Takai, he did not make the final roster.
Isaiah Tuiasosopo is a 6-3, 330 lb offensive lineman from Austin Peay State. As a four year collegiate player for Austin Peay State, he played in 43 total games. Initially a defensive tackle, he switched to center to finish out his collegiate career. He earned an invitation to NFL rookie minicamp with the Carolina Panthers, but did not make the roster. Tuiasosopo will be a rookie in the IFL, but he's had experience with indoor football, spending parts of 2015 with the LA KISS and the New Orleans VooDoo.
September 28:
(image credit: Spokane Shock)
The Shock made another coaching hire on their 2016 coaching staff, announcing the hiring of Cleveland Pratt as Assistant Head Coach and Director of Player Development.
Pratt is no stranger to coaching in the IFL; in fact, he's spent the past six seasons as a member of Head Coach Adam Shackleford's coaching staff.
"Two of the most important qualities that I look for in both players and coaches are character and commitment,” Shackleford said in the Shock's press release. “Coach Pratt has been a great member of my staff over the past six seasons. I know what I can expect from him and that is he will make us a better football team.”
Pratt's reputation goes beyond his six seasons with the Fever; he's worked with the Fever dating back to 2007 when the Fever joined the af2. In his first year with the Fever, he served as the team's offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He retained the same position in 2009 when the Fever under future New Orelans VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara.
When the Fever moved to the IFL and hired Shackleford, Pratt remained with the franchise, serving as the team's defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator from 2010-2012. From 2013-2014, Pratt was named defensive coordinator of the Fever and retained his duties as special teams coordinator. When the Fever hired Ameer Ismail as defensive coordinator in 2015, Pratt took the role of co-offensive coordinator with Shackleford, assistant head coach, and assistant director of player personnel.
Pratt was humble when asked about how he felt joining the Shock and continuing to work with Shackleford. “I am flattered and honored that Coach Shack has asked me to re-join him," he said. "We've had a lot of success in the past and I’m looking forward to bringing another championship to the city of Spokane. Coach Shack has told me many good things about the fans here and the love that the city has for Shock football. I look forward to having a great season and sharing the experience with the loyal fan base.”
Before he joined the Fever in 2007, Pratt was the co-offensive coordinator of the Miami Morays of the defunct National Indoor Football League. His experience with indoor football goes back to the mid-90's. Pratt played a total of 6 season in the AFL, playing for the Miami Hooters (1995), Florida Bobcats (1996-1999) and Grand Rapids Rampage (2000) as a Wide Receiver/Defensive Back. In his six-year AFL career, he recorded 195 receptions for 2,372 yards and 35 touchdowns. His best season was in 1996, catching 82 passes for 1,094 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Bobcats. He also showed his versatility on the defensive side of the ball, recording 17 career tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 interceptions. He also spent his career as a kick returner, returning 210 kicks for 3,941 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Prior to his professional career, Pratt attended college at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. He was inducted into Edinboro's athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 for football and men's track and field. He holds the school records for career kickoff returns (76), career kickoff return yards (1,844), longest kickoff return (100 yards) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (3).
Septemer 29:
(image credit: University of Buffalo Athletics / Twitter)
The Shock have filled in their vacant kicking position, announcing the signing of kicker Pat Clarke to the roster. He's a 6-3, 210 lb rookie out of Buffalo University.
The 2016 season will be Clarke's first in the IFL. Prior to joining the Shock, Clarke was the placekicker for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the PIFL, converting 88% of his PAT attempts. According to the Shock press release, Clarke was "flawless" on field goal tempts within 30 yards and converted a long of 46 during the season.
At Buffalo University, Clarke earned the starting kicking job late in his freshman season. Over the next 3 seasons, Clarke converted 65% of his field goals, including a career long 51-yard field goal in 2013. As a senior, he converted 93% of his PAT attempts.
September 30:
(image credit: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Shock signed rookie IFL defensive back Lorenzo Waters. The 6-1, 205 defensive back played the past four years as a member of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 11 games at defensive back before converting to strong safety for the rest of his collegiate career. He would go on to play in 38 games (37 starts), and tallied 201 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 4.0 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
- DKH
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