The Jacksonville Sharks have signed defensive back Marvin Ross. Ross played 2016 with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
Jacksonville Sharks Sign Defensive Back Marvin Ross
Ross will be playing his fifth season of arena football in 2017, but his first in Jacksonville. He began his arena football career with the Columbus Lions in 2013. He played with them until 2015.
Both the Sharks and Lions will be playing in the National Arena League in 2017. The Sharks will be in Columbus, GA to play the Lions on March 17. This will also be the first ever game played in NAL history. The NAL Championship Game will be played on July 8.
Ross is actually a native of Jacksonville, FL. He attended Trinity Christian Academy where he recorded 56 tackles and three interceptions his senior season. Ross also played basketball and ran track in high school. He attended college at a Florida A&M.
In his one year with Cleveland, Ross recorded 84 tackles, 24 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and six interceptions. The highlight point of his season was when he intercepted a pass in overtime to seal a win two games in a row. His performance earned him GEICO Arena Football Rookie of the Year Award honors.
From One League to Another
The Sharks were one of five teams to depart from the AFL after the 2016 season ended.
The Arizona Rattlers moved to the Indoor Football League. The Los Angeles KISS, Orlando Predators and Portland Steel all ceased operations.
There are rumors that the Predators could join Jacksonville in playing in the NAL in 2018. There are also rumors that Portland could have an NAL team in 2018. That team would be named the Thunder. The Portland Thunder
The NAL was initially called the Arena Development League, but has since then changed their name. The other teams are the Corpus Christi Rage, Georgia Firebirds, High County Grizzlies, Dayton Wolfpack, Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and Monterrey Steel.
