Orlando Predators Defensive End Earl Okine Signs Contract with Indianapolis Colts
Wednesday March 4, 2015
Former Florida Gators Defensive End Makes Jump from AFL to NFL
ORLANDO – Mar. 4, 2015 – Orlando Predators defensive end Earl Okine has signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, the team has announced. Okine was placed on the Arena Football League’s Other League Exempt list on Tuesday evening.
“We are extremely proud and excited to see Earl earn a chance to compete at the NFL level,” said Head Coach Rob Keefe. “Earl is a player with tremendous talent who is very deserving of this opportunity. We wish him the very best as he takes the next step in his career.”
Okine (6-6, 284, Florida) played in all 18 games for the Predators as a rookie in 2014 and led the team with 5.5 sacks on the year. He started nearly every contest and delivered 22 total tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
A native of Gainesville, Okine played college football at the University of Florida. As a member of the Gators, he appeared in 42 games and collected 27 tackles with one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, one blocked field goal and one pass breakup.
Prior to joining the Predators, Okine also spent time with the NFL’s Houston Texans and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
Okine will remain on the AFL’s Other League Exempt list during his tenure in the NFL. Should he choose to return to the Arena Football League in the future, Orlando will retain his rights.
For all the latest news and updates, visit orlandopredators.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS
The 2014 South Division Champion Orlando Predators enters its 24th season as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.