Sharks Announce Initial 24-Man Lineup
Saturday March 16, 2013
Two trades highlight flurry of roster moves
JACKSONVILLE – As training camp comes to a close, the 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks have announced the initial 24-man lineup for a squad that will look to become the first team in Arena Football League history to win a division title in each of its first four seasons as a franchise.
The Sharks’ veteran-heavy roster features just two players – defensive lineman Rashaad Duncan and wide receiver Maurice Avery – who has yet to play a game in the AFL. 11 of the 24 players on the current Jacksonville roster played with the team in 2012, while two others – defensive lineman Justin Parrish and wide receiver Jeff Hughley – returned to the team after playing elsewhere last season.
To go along with the group of returners, Sharks head coach Les Moss and his staff added ten AFL veterans who are set don a Jacksonville uniform for the first time. The team finalized its roster with a pair of trades on Saturday, as the Sharks first acquired veteran wide receiver Hank Edwards from the San Jose SaberCats in exchange for defensive lineman Delvin Johnson. Jacksonville also made a second trade with the Arizona Rattlers in as many days, adding defensive lineman Ayanga Okpokuwuruk in exchange for future considerations.
Following the day’s moves, the Sharks’ initial 24-man roster stands as follows:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Exp. School
Bill Alford DB 5-9 190 3 Vanderbilt
R.J. Archer QB 6-2 220 2 William & Mary
Maurice Avery WR 6-2 215 R Memphis
Dusty Bear DL 6-2 250 3 Western Kentucky
Tracy Belton DB 6-1 180 3 Massachusetts
Marco Capozzoli K 6-2 210 3 Montclair State
Thomas Claiborne OL 6-3 340 1 Boston College
Brant Clouser OL 6-3 315 1 Villanova
Rashaad Duncan DL 6-2 315 R Pittsburgh
Hank Edwards WR 6-2 185 5 Texas Southern
Jeron Harvey WR 6-4 220 3 Houston
Jeff Hughley WR/KR 5-8 175 3 Averett
Cornelius Lewis OL 6-5 335 2 Tennessee State
Matt Marcorelle DL 6-3 250 1 Delaware
Isaac Morales OL 6-6 315 3 Wyoming
Bernard Morris QB 6-4 215 3 Marshall
Ayana Okpokowuruk DL 6-2 260 1 Duke
Justin Parrish DL 6-2 255 3 Kent State
Aaron Robbins MLB 6-3 285 3 Wyoming
Micheaux Robinson DB 5-9 185 4 Otterbein
Terrance Smith WR/DB 6-2 198 2 South Carolina State
Rendrick Taylor FB 6-2 260 1 Clemson
Nick Torresso OL/FB 6-2 305 1 Bowling Green
Jerry Turner DL 6-3 265 6 Tennessee Tech
Saturday’s full list of transactions is as follows:
Offensive lineman Cornelius Lewis, defensive back Micheaux Robinson, wide receiver/defensive back Terrance Smith, Mac linebacker Aaron Robbins and wide receiver/kick returner Jeff Hughley were activated from Physically Unable to Perform.
Wide receiver Hank Edwards was traded from San Jose in exchange for defensive lineman Delvin Johnson. Defensive lineman Ayanga Okpokuwuruk was traded from Arizona in exchange for future considerations.
Wide receiver London Crawford and defensive back Tanner Varner were placed on injured reserve.
Wide receiver Markee White was placed on Refused to Report.
Quarterback Lee Chapple and defensive back LaRoche Jackson were placed on recallable reassignment.
Defensive back Jamaal Fudge, wide receiver Charles Gilbert, defensive lineman Julian Hartsell, wide receiver J.J. Hayes and defensive back Cortez Stubbs were placed on reassignment.
About the Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2013 season are now available, two tickets as low as $185. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.
