2010 AFL Defensive Player of the Year DL Gabe Nyenhuis and five others added to roster
Friday October 1, 2010
SAN JOSE – The San Jose SaberCats today announced the assignment of 2010 AFL Defensive Player of the Year DL Gabe Nyenhuis, WR Burl Toler, DL Adam Huebner, FB/LB Chad Cook and OL/DL Jason Jones, by the league office. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.
DL GABE NYENHUIS
Nyenhuis (6-3, 265) enters his fourth year in the AFL and first with the SaberCats. For his career, he has totaled 88 tackles, 29.5 for loss, 28 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and seven passes defensed in 41 games. In 2010, Nyenhuis led the league in sacks (15.5), tackles for loss (13.0) and forced fumbles (9) en route to earning the AFL’s highest defensive honor for the Tulsa Talons.
“Bringing in a player of Gabe’s caliber is tremendous for us,” Head Coach Darren Arbet said. “He is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and will provide us a dominant force on the defensive line that offenses will have to account for.”
A two-time All-Arena selection as a defensive lineman, Nyenhuis spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Soul (2007-08), helping them to an ArenaBowl championship in 2008 against the SaberCats. During their championship run, Nyenhuis led the team in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12.5) and forced fumbles (5). He also led the team with two sacks while forcing a fumble in the 2008 postseason.
WR BURL TOLER
A former California Golden Bear, Toler (6-2, 200) spent the 2008 offseason with the Washington Redskins after signing with San Jose in 2008. Prior to signing with the SaberCats, Toler served his first stint with the Redskins in 2007 after spending time with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. He originally signed with the SaberCats in 2007 before joining the Centurions. Undrafted out of California, Toler was originally signed by the Oakland Raiders in 2006.
“We’ve liked what we’ve seen from Burl in the past and so have many coaches in the NFL ranks,” Arbet said. “He is a diligent worker and a great athlete who will add experience to our young receiving corps moving forward.”
A walk-on at California, Toler finished with 69 receptions for 873 yards and four touchdowns. His best season came in 2003 when he caught 48 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns. A native of Berkeley, CA, Toler attended Bishop O’Dowd High School (CA) helping his team to two league titles and a North Coast Section championship, earning first team all-league on offense and defense his senior year. Toler also lettered four years in track, attending the League of Champions meet his final three years.
DL ADAM HUEBNER
Huebner (6-4, 300) spent his rookie season alongside fellow SaberCat DL Gabe Nyenhuis in 2010 with the Tulsa. In his lone season with the Talons, Huebner finished with 14 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
“Adam was a part of the best defensive line in the AFL last season, playing with the best pass rusher in the league in Gabe Nyenhuis,” Arbet said. “He’ll bring pressure on opposing quarterbacks this coming season after enjoying a solid year with the Talons in 2010.”
Prior to transferring to Purdue as a sophomore, Huebner played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman at Indiana State in 2003 where he had 23 tackles and two sacks.
FB/LB CHAD COOK
Cook (6-1, 265) started his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Storm before being signed by the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. For Oklahoma, he ran the ball 45 times for 140 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 14 receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown. On defense, he had eight tackles combined between the two teams.
“Chad is a hard-nosed runner who can play on both sides of the ball,” Arbet said. “He’s a load at his size who will be able to punish defenses up the middle.”
During his four year career at Murray State, Cook totaled 2,095 rushing yards on 457 attempts for 24 touchdowns, leading the team in rushing as a sophomore (834) and a junior (692) for the Racers. He also caught 24 passes for 185 yards.
WR CHIDOZIE NWOKOCHA
Prior to joining the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League in 2010, Nwokocha (6-0, 200) played two seasons at Ohio (2006-07). In 26 games for the Bobcats, he totaled 45 catches for 562 yards and one touchdown. Nwokocha transferred to Ohio after spending two seasons at Sacramento City College where he was an All-Nor Cal Conference pick both seasons, totaling 119 catches for 1,665 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior college career.
“Chidozie is a great addition to our team who brings more athleticism to our squad,” Arbet said. “Along with our current wideouts we have the makings of a talented receiving corps as we make our way towards the 2011 season.”
A native of Elk Grove, CA, Nwokocha attended Laguna Creek High School (CA), earning honorable mention all-city selection honors while helping the Cardinals to a Delta League Championship and the state playoffs.
OL/DL JASON JONES
Jones (6-4, 345) played his first season in the AFL with the Cleveland Gladiators in 2010. He totaled three tackles in three games for the Gladiators despite being limited by injuries during the 2010 season.
“Jason can play both ways and is very athletic for his size. He will be a solid contributor for us in the trenches in 2011.” Arbet said.
After transferring from Pasadena Community College in 1999 to Illinois State, Jones then transferred to Idaho where he played two seasons for the Vandals.
