Post by David on Nov 6, 2016 10:59:08 GMT -8
OL Bill Vavau (image credit: Dan Byers Photography)
11.4.16-
The Spokane Empire continue to make a splash in the IFL's free agency market, adding more depth to the offensive line and defensive backfield with the signings of OL Bill Vavau and DB Stephen Godbolt.
Vavau (6'4'', 330 lbs) signs with the Empire after spending the past two seasons as a member of the Colorado Ice/Crush. Last season, he was part of an offensive line that ranked 3rd in the league in scoring with 53.1 points per game, 2nd in total offense (277.9 yards/game), 3rd in passing offense (199.1 passing yards/game). The offensive line helped protect starting QBs Damien Fleming, Brandon Mitchell, and emergency QB Rashard Smith, who threw a combined league leading 68 touchdown passes.
The third year played his junior and senior seasons at Utah State, appearing in 16 total games. Before his junior season, Vavau transferred to Utah State after spending two seasons at Snow College (Utah) playing a ironman football on both the offensive and defensive line. He was a member of Snow College's 2011 Mountains Bowl championship and earned second-team All-Western States Football league honors.
Vavau becomes the latest offensive lineman to join Spokane after spending the 2016 season with Colorado, joining former teammate and offensive lineman James Atoe. Atoe signed with the Empire on October 7th.
On the defensive side of the ball, Godbolt (5'11'', 190 lbs) joins a Spokane secondary that's stuffed with talent and experience.
DB Stephen Godbolt (image credit: Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette
A second year player in the IFL, Godbolt spent his 2016 rookie campaign with the Tri-Cities Fever. In 12 games, he ranked third among Fever defenders with 48.5 total tackles (43 solo), and also recorded 4 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.
Prior to his indoor football career, Godbolt played college football at Tennesse State University. In 33 games, he registered 112 total tackles, 7 interceptions and 26 pass breakups. He earned Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer and FCS Freshman All-American honors in his redshirt freshman season in 2011, and in 2012 he earned OVC All-First Team Honors and named to All-American lists including the Sports Network, the Associated Press, College Sports News, and SBN Black College.
Prior to his senior season, Godbolt transferred to Webber International University in Florida, participating in 6 games and notching 23 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 interception.
Godbolt becomes the third member of the 2016 Tri-Cities Fever to join Spokane in 2017, joining teammates DeJuan Miller (WR) and Rob Brown (RB).
- DKH
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