Iowa Barnstormers Roster Recap
Barnstormers 2017 Roster Update

DES MOINES – With just three months remaining until the start of the Indoor Football season, the Iowa Barnstormers have been hard at work to recruit a talented roster. Head Coach Dixie Wooten has announced the signing of 34 players to date, leaving only six roster spots open for Training Camp.

“I expect guys to come into camp and work hard as ever, compete every day, and try to make the final roster,” said Coach Wooten. “Players need to be in shape on day one, because camp will be a grind both in the meeting room and on the field. They have to compete every day and they can’t afford to take a play off.”

Of the 34 players signed, 12 will be returning from last season’s roster. Among the returning players is First Team All-IFL Selection Brady Roland, one of the league’s top performing receivers who will be joined by fellow wide receiver Lucas Hefty. Leading the offense, quarterbacks Travis Partridge and Brion Carnes are returning for their second season wearing goggles. Offensive Lineman David Griffin is also making his return for the 2017 season.

On the other side of the ball, defensive leader Javicz Jones (LB) will be returning for his third season with the Barnstormers. Jones will be joined by Chayz Holt (DB), DaeJohn Love (DB), Reshard Simmons (DL), Ra’Shawde Myers (DL), Phil Lewis (DL), and Danny Farr (DL).

Familiar to Barnstormers fans, Matt Goldsmith (DB), Jeremy Schonbrunner (OL), Tyler Wells (OL), and fan-favorite Ranier Rackley (RB) will also be returning to the team for the 2017 season.

New to the Iowa Barnstormers this season will be IFL Veteran D’Angelo McCray (OL), defensive standout Jamie Bender (DB), and 2016 Second Team All-IFL Selection Dee Maggitt, Jr. (DB). Defensive linemen BJ Butler and Chris Martin will also be joining the team, both having appeared on the Billings Wolves roster last season.

Derricus Purdy (DB) is joining the Barnstormers roster with the goal of making it back to the NFL. Purdy was signed by the Chicago Bears in 2014, where he appeared in 4 games. Mitchell Bell (OL) shares a similar story, coming to Des Moines after being picked up by the Oakland Raiders and earning a place on their practice squad.

Rounding up the current roster is a group of athletes who will be entering their first season in the Indoor Football League, including defensive back Bryce Enyard who earned his contract after impressing Coach Wooten at the Barnstormers Open Tryout. He will be joined by fellow IFL rookies Kody Afusia (OL), Zachary Allen (LB), Carlos Anderson (DB), Dasmine Cathey (DL), Kenton Chun (K), Mark Crawford (DL), David Olson (QB), Quinton Pedroza (WR), Gerald Thomas (WR), and Donavan Williams (RB).

“Looking at all the great players we have signed, I’m very happy,” said Coach Wooten. “We will be strong at the two positions that win games, offensive line and defensive line. Our defensive backs will be a major factor this year, we have some guys that can flat out play."

Coach Wooten also expressed the importance of having a strong quarterback on the roster.

"The position we have to hit a home run on is quarterback, that’s why we have brought 3 starters into camp," said Coach Wooten. "They all know it’s a competition to be the leader of the team."

More detailed information about all player signings can be found on the Iowa Barnstormers official website www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

Season Tickets for the Iowa Barnstormers 2017 season are on sale now for as low as $80 per seat. Don’t miss a minute of the action! For more information, call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255 or log on to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

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