The Arena League Rundown: January 10, 2025
Here’s the latest from another exciting week in the TAL offseason!
Team News
The Ozarks Lunkers have announced the hiring of their new General Manager Stacie Wells ahead of the 2025 season. Wells brings over 25 years of business experience in sports with her as the new GM of the Lunkers. Here’s a quote from Stacies on her new position:
“Sports have the power to bring people together like nothing else. The Lunkers are more than just a team — they’re a driving force for community and economic vitality. I’m excited to work with the team and amazing fans to elevate the Lunkers to new heights.”
Next, here’s a quote from Ozarks Lunkers Owner Mark Burgess on the hiring of Wells:
“There’s so much more to running a team than just getting players on the field. Stacie’s business acumen and leadership will strengthen our organization and allow our football staff to focus on the game, bringing an even better sports product to the Ozarks.”
The full press release can be found here via KY3:
The Lunkers organization will look to Wells’ superb community engagement and fan experience acumen for the 2025 season and beyond. With numerous years spent working on multi-million-dollar projects in the sports realm, Wells will now focus her efforts into providing the very best for the Lunkers organization. We want to wish Stacie and her staff the best of luck during the upcoming 2025 TAL season.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Via Ozarks Lunkers on Facebook)
The Duluth Harbor Monsters have announced that their January 11th tryout will now be a joint tryout with UP1 Athletic Showcase. The tryout will take place at the West St. Paul Dome in West St. Paul, MN. For the latest on this tryout, click here:
Player Signings
Duluth Harbor Monsters
The Harbor Monsters have signed Running back Makiya Caesar ahead of the 2025 season. The 5’11, 205-pound ball-carrier from Newark, NJ began his collegiate career at Monroe University in 2017. Caesar would then transfer to Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS. In ten career games with the Grizzlies, Caesar amassed 572 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, six receptions for 41 yards, while also averaging 20.8 yards per kick return. After college, Caesar played semi-pro football for The Den’s Tri-State Bengals. The Harbor Monsters will use every bit of Caesar’s athleticism, power, and route running savvy during the 2025 season.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Via Duluth Harbor Monsters - Arena League Football on Facebook)
Training Camp Invites
Hot Springs Wiseguys
Under new Head Coach Bones Bagaunte, Hot Springs is off to the races handing out training camp invites ahead of the 2025 season. The Wiseguys have invited Defensive Back Gashawn Moody and Wide Receiver Lou Dorsey to camp this week. Moody attended Mastery Charter High School in Pennsylvania and was named a First-Team Class 5A-Philadelphia honoree back in 2020. He would enroll at Defiance College later that fall. In 2023, Moody transferred to Eastern University and became a fantastic back-end player for the Eagles. In 20 career games at EU, Moody compiled 212 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, one interception, three forced fumbles, and one field goal block. The Philadelphia, PA native will get his first professional football opportunity with the Wiseguys in camp. Coach Bagaunte has signed a high-upside defender in Moody.
Dorsey hails from Jacksonville, FL, and brings Division I college football experience with him to Hot Springs. Ranked as the 16th best Tight End in the country during his Senior season at Jean Ribault High School, Dorsey would graduate and attend the University of Illinois in 2017. That year, the 6'6”, 225-pound Dorsey hauled in 22 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns spread across 12 games. After Redshirting and transferring to New Mexico Highlands University, Dorsey would rack up 36 receptions for 282 yards and two touchdowns during his 2021 campaign with the Cowboys. Dorsey has since held stops in Colorado with the Spartans, and with the Indoor Football League’s Duke City Gladiators. This mammoth receiver should be able to impress in camp given his mismatch abilities and large frame. Both Moody and Dorsey appear to be excellent additions to Hot Springs’ training camp roster.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Via Hot Springs Arena League Football)
Ozarks Lunkers
Fresh off the heels of a new General Manager entering the fold, the Lunkers have begun the process of getting players invited to their training camp in 2025. Wide Receiver / Athlete Jakalen Jackson, Defensive Back / Athlete Marcus Cody, and Defensive Back / Athlete Trajan Doss have each received their invitations to the Lunkers’ Training Camp following successful tryouts in recent weeks. First, Jackson looks to bring a speed element to the Lunkers in camp. The Jonesboro, AK, native would attend Delta State University in 2017 following a successful high school career. Jackson put up 22 receptions for 116 yards and added 97 kick return yards across ten games. Jackson will look to use his receiving abilities coupled with previous Safety and returner abilities to latch onto in Lunkers camp. Next, Cody possesses outstanding abilities and plenty of experience to earn a roster spot in Ozarks. The former Shorter University product would end his college career with 33 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. Cody most recently played for the Arkansas Punishers of the Next Level Football Alliance and also received a camp invitation from the IFA’s Alabama Beavers.
Rounding out the trio is Doss. The former wide receiver turned defensive back attended Ouachita Baptist University back in 2015. Playing primarily on the offensive side of the ball, Doss would switch schools and positions in 2017. Doss would enroll at Arkansas State as a defensive back in 2018. Following his collegiate career coming to an end, Doss quickly transitioned into the coaching ranks at both the high school and semi-pro level. He most recently spent time as both a player and a coach of the above-mentioned Arkansas Punishers of the NLFA.
It appears the Lunkers have snagged three of the best-performing members of its most recent tryout. All three will be on the hunt for a roster spot in the uber-competitive TAL this upcoming season!
(PHOTO CREDIT: The Ozarks Lunkers on Facebook)
As The Arena League offseason rolls on and teams continue to sort through prospective training camp invites, one positive remains. Opportunity. TAL front office executives realize the importance of giving players a chance to chase their professional football dreams. With six teams vying for a championship, players must bring their “A” game to tryouts and training camp ahead of the 2025 season. The Point After Network wishes each and every athlete the best of luck this TAL season!
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