Albany Empire Assigned Three on the Sixth Day of Free Agency

Tuesday March 12, 2019

 ALBANY- The Albany Empire announce that three players have been assigned to the team roster on the sixth day of free agency. Per League and team rules, terms are not disclosed. The free agency signing period for the Arena Football League began on Monday, March 4.

Donnie Miles Jr., Defensive Back

Donnie Miles Jr. enjoyed an accolade filled collegiate football at the University of North Carolina. As a redshirt freshman, Miles finished fifth on the team with 53 tackles including four tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup. In 2015, Miles earned All-ACC honorable mention while starting every game at safety and leading the team with 128 tackles. Miles posted a career-high 22 tackles in the Russell Athletic Bowl; most by a Tar Heel since 2007. Following college, Miles participated in minicamps with the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Miles most recently spent time with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF.

Quentin Sims, Wide Receiver

Quentin Sims brings veteran leadership to the Empire wide receiver unit. Beginning his collegiate career at Georgia Tech, Sims transferred to the University of Tennessee Martin where he simply dominated. In his senior year in 2012, Sims hauled in 86 passes for 1,804 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to being named First Team All-Conference. Following college, Sims signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots and spent the preseason with the team in 2013. He broke into indoor football with the Orlando Predators briefly, before moving back outdoors and signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL in 2014. He transitioned back to the States where he joined the Arizona Rattlers for the team’s final game of the season and scored two touchdowns. Sims broke out in 2016 playing with the Cleveland Gladiators recording 92 receptions for 1,112 yards and 27 touchdowns and earned his first career Second Team All-Arena honors. Sims spent time in 2017 with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL before joining the Baltimore Brigade in 2018 where he logged 56 receptions for 576 yards and tied for the team-lead with 15 touchdowns.

DJ Stephens, Wide Receiver

DJ Stephens brings five years of experience to the Empire wide receiver unit. The former University of Arkansas-Monticello wideout broke into the AFL in 2013 playing with the San Antonio Talons. Stephens made an immediate impact, hauling in 55 catches for 738 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie. On top of his receiving dominance, Stephens returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in his debut season. Stephens spent 2014 with the Talons and set current career highs in yards (938) and reception touchdowns (17). Stephens split time over the next two seasons with the San Jose SaberCats and the Los Angeles KISS, compiling a total of 27 receiving touchdowns. In 2018, Stephens joined the Baltimore Brigade midway through the season where in five games he nine passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Fans can secure season tickets for the Albany Empire by calling 518-533-2200, by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com, or by stopping by the Empire office located in the Times Union Center. A limited number of great seats are still available! Want to bring your organization to a game, fundraise, or perform on the field? Group experiences are now on sale. Call 518-533-2200 for additional information.

Albany Empire 2019 Season Presented By CDPHP.

About Albany Empire

Season memberships for the 2019 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany Empire sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/TheAlbanyEmpire and Twitter at twitter.com/Albany_Empire.

About the Arena Football League

The Arena Football League enters its 32nd season in 2019. Since its inception in 1987, the AFL showcases a fast-paced, exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets. With the addition of two new teams in Atlantic City, N.J., and Columbus, O.H., the League totals six teams for 2019: Albany, Atlantic City, Columbus, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Each team will play 12 regular-season games in 2019. One can find the League can on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the handle @OfficialAFL.

About Times Union Center

Albany’s Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, the Times Union Center is “Upstate New York’s Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.

About CDPHP®

Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About Transfinder

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, municipalities and adult care facilities. Transfinder, an Inc. magazine “fastest-growing company” for the past eleven straight years, has offices in Austin, Texas, and Shanghai, China. The software company develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. http://transfinder.com