ORLANDO – On Monday the Orlando Predators added two more pieces along the defensive line with the signings of three-time UFL championship-game starter McKinley Boykin (6’1, 300, Mississippi) and local product Bert Whigham (6’4, 255, Illinois State).

 

Boykin returns to the Orlando area after spending the past three seasons at defensive tackle in the United Football League. He was a major contributor for the league’s runner-up Florida Tuskers in 2009 and 2010 before following the team to Virginia and winning a UFL title in 2011.

 

In four regular season games in 2011 he recorded eight tackles (6 solo), 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks in Virginia. He also had two tackles and a sack in the team’s championship game win.

 

“He’s a great player that’s played at such a high level for a number of years,” Preds coach Bret Munsey said. “I feel he can help us not only with the pass rush, but also in the locker room.”

 

Boykin started in all eight regular season games for the Tuskers in 2010, recording 19 total tackles and two sacks. He also had three total tackles in the league’s championship game. In 2009, Boykin started all six regular-season games, recording 13 tackles and half a sack before finishing with two assisted tackles in the title game.

 

He’s now looking forward to rejoining Munsey for another run at a championship in his first season in the Arena Football League.

 

“I’ve played in the NFL, NFL Europe and the UFL. It doesn’t matter if it’s indoors or outdoors, it’s just fun to get out there and play some football,” Boykin said. “And I’ve know Coach Munsey now for three years. He’s a good person who looks out for other people.”

 

Boykin played in three regular season games in the NFL, recording 10 tackles with the New Orleans Saints in 2008. He spent 2007 in NFL Europe with the Cologne Centurions, where he tallied 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one pass defense.

 

A criminal justice major at Mississippi, he played in the 2006 Hula Bowl and recorded 40 tackles and 3 sacks as a senior in nine starts. As a junior he earned second-team All-SEC honors when he posted 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 10 starts.

 

Whigham returns to the Predators after appearing in two games last season as a rookie, on the road at Arizona and at home against Philadelphia. The Seminole High School alum combined for 4.5 tackles (4 solo) in 2011.

 

At Illinois State he lined up at multiple positions and shined on special teams over the course of four years as he tied a school record with four career blocked punts.

 

As a senior, Whigham recorded 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks following a junior season that included seven special-teams tackles, one quarterback sack, a tackle-for-loss and a quarterback hurry in 10 games. He played in 11 games as a sophomore, recording seven tackles on special teams.

 

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