Soul sign first players for 2012
Monday September 19, 2011
OL Aumaitre, LB Frank, DB Gardner, DB Richardson Return to Soul
PHILADELPHIA (September 19, 2011) – The Philadelphia Soul announce the signing of four players from the 2011 squad – offensive lineman, Nyere Aumaitre (6-5, 315, Iowa), linebacker, Chris Frank (6-0, 242, Ursinus), defensive back, Drew Gardner (5-11, 190, Iowa) and defensive back, Kent Richardson (6-0, 200, West Virginia).
The Arena Football League’s exclusive re-signing period will end with the opening of the free-agent signing period set to start on Monday, Sept. 26. On that date, the Soul will be able to sign any players who were on 2011 rosters of other teams or regular street free agents. The team can also continue to re-sign players from their own 2011 roster through the start of the season.
“The signing of this first group of players is the beginning of the process to bring back quality players from last year’s team,” said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines. “Each one of these players finished their rookie seasons strong and will help put the foundation in place for 2012.”
“I really like the potential that these guys showed from last year,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank. “This group will help make it an extremely competitive training camp. We will be an organization that players will want to come to play for and we will make this a championship team again.”
Aumaitre, a Camden, NJ native, played at Iowa and started 14 games for the Soul in 2011. He also spent time with the Harrisburg Stampede in the SIFL in 2009-10. While in high school he was First-team, All-Conference and All-South Jersey as a senior. Nyere also earned All-Conference and All-State honors as a junior and helped lead Wilson High School to the 2001 New Jersey state championship.
Frank, a Norristown, PA resident, played in two games in 2011 where he recorded 12.0 total tackles and recovered a fumble. Chris played two years at Ursinus College after transferring from Connecticut. He recorded 76.0 total tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass break ups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 2007. He also earned All-Conference and team Defensive MVP honors.
Gardner, a Cherry Hill, NJ resident, played in one game in 2011 and recorded 1.5 total tackles. Drew played one season at Widener University (2004), where he recorded 20.0 total tackles, three interceptions, and one blocked punt. He transferred and played three seasons at the University of Iowa (2006-08) where he tallied 11.0 total tackles and earned the Special Teams/Hustle Award.
Richardson, who was a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2011, led the Soul in tackles (64.0) and pass breakups (11), while recording two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception. During his collegiate career, he was named WVU team captain and received Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll (2008). He was a member of the Mountaineer team that won the 2008 Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma and played in the 2008 Car Care Bowl, 2007 Gator Bowl, and 2006 Sugar Bowl.
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