Brigade signs local AFL (and movie) star Lucas Yarnell
Sunday November 27, 2005
The Kansas City Brigade (AFL) signed free agent offensive/defensive lineman Lucas Yarnell today. Yarnell, who has been in the Arena League for nine years, has played for eight different teams, including last season with the Las Vegas Gladiators, but is finally returning home.
Yarnell attended Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, KS before playing two years at Coffeyville (KS) Community College. Currently he is also an assistant football coach at Olathe East High School.
Yarnell primarily plays center and nose guard and in his career has 87.5 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. He has been to the playoffs three times and helped lead the Grand Rapids Rampage to the 2001 ArenaBowl title.
"We are excited about acquiring an experienced veteran who will provide stability and maturity to our team," Brigade General Manager Reggie Harris said. "Lucas (Yarnell) will be an asset to the local community as well; having roots here he will be a great ambassador for our game. We are looking forward to having him in camp and helping guide our younger players."
One of Yarnell’s claims-to-fame in football, however, was on the big screen, as he played on the con’s defense in the remake of ‘The Longest Yard’ with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Burt Reynolds (2005). Filming began last year on July 13 and wrapped at the end of October. After a three-week training camp, the crew headed to Santa Fe, N.M., for six weeks and filmed at a prison that was no longer in use. They then returned to the Los Angeles area to film the "Mean Machine vs. Guards" game at El Camino Junior College for another eight weeks.
Lucas Yarnell #77
Offensive/Defensive Lineman – OL/DL
HT: 6-2 WT: 305 lbs Years: 9
College: Louisiana-Lafayette
High School: Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas
CAREER:
2005:Yarnell had 17 tackles (10 solo and 14 assists), while playing in all 16 games for the Las Vegas Gladiators. He started the last 13 games, with six starts on both the offensive and defensive line. 2004:Yarnell played in 13 games during the 2004 season for the Austin Wranglers and tallied 5.5 total tackles with one fumble recovery. 2003: Played in 15 games for the Detroit Fury, totaling 10 tackles, six solo and a forced fumble. 2002: Played in 13 games for the Grand Rapids Rampage at center. Also, on defense he totaling seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss of three yards, assisted on half of a quarterback sack, broke up two passes and hit the opposing quarterback four times. 2001: Recorded 7.5 tackles, four quarterback hurries, one sack and a pass deflection in 14 games played for the Grand Rapids Rampage on their way to the ArenaBowl title. 2000: Played in every game with the San Jose SaberCats without allowing a sack in 2000 and anchored an offense that scored the most points in the AFL. He totaled a career-best 15.5 tackles. He also tied for second on San Jose with two fumble recoveries. 1999: Had a career-high three passes defended and notched his first career sack in 1999 and had one tackle for loss. He did not allow a sack during the season. 1998: Emerged as the ThunderBears’ starting center and had a career-high six tackles at Grand Rapids. 1997: Spent all but three weeks on the Texas Terror’s injured reserve list with a hamstring injury. Had one tackle for loss in his rookie season.
COLLEGE:
Started every game for Southwestern Louisiana as a senior, earning All-Big West First Team honors. He took over the starting role for the Rajun Cajuns after transferring from Coffeyville (KS) Community College. He also participated in track & field and earned a degree in liberal arts.
PERSONAL:
Attended Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas and lettered in football while participating in basketball, baseball and track. He is also married to his wife, Kelly.
