It’s time to strap on the cleats and hit the turf; football season is here! Well, at least football pre-season is here. We know there are dozens of football fanatics in our Sturbridge communities, so we’re giving you the rundown on the newest players from the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins! Learn their names, positions, and numbers before they hit the field!
First on our list is the new Baltimore Ravens rookie, Quarterback Lamar Jackson. As the 32nd pick of the first round draft, Jackson has proven success in the air and on the ground. The rookies’ stats were quite impressive at his alma mater, the University of Louisville, which earned him the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and this year’s ACC Athlete of the Year Award. With 9,043 passing yards, 69 touchdowns, and 50 touchdowns the Ravens coaching staff has high hopes for the rookie QB sporting the #8 !
Switching gears (or positions) let’s move onto the newest member of the Ravens offensive line. Meet Offensive Tackle, Orlando Brown Jr.! Ravens fans might find something familiar about the O-Lineman as his father Orlando Claude “Zeus” Brown played for the Ravens in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The 6′ 8″, 345-pound lineman started in all 40 career games as a left tackle for the University of Oklahoma and is just one of three players to be named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. The Sooners alum will be holding down the line as #78 on this year’s team!
Moving on over to the heavy hitters of this year’s excellent Ravens defense; say hello to the new Cornerback, Anthony Averett! Fresh out of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, Averett had eight pass breakups and only one penalty during his senior year football season. The Ravens are increasing their need for speed as Averett has won several New Jersey State titles in the 55-meter dash and high jump. The 5’11″183 defensive player will be toting the #28 as he racks up those interceptions.
Let’s leave the confines of M&T Stadium to travel the beltway to FedExField! The Redskins made a huge play in league with their new (but not so new) quarterback Alex Smith. After a career winning season with the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick hopes to replicate that same winning spirit for the Redskins! Smith will be leading this years team wearing the #30!
Meet the fast and versatile safety from Penn State. Troy Apke is not only known for playing his usual position as a free safety, but also for being a tremendous asset on special teams! Apke stole the show at the 2018 NFL combine as he ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash and reached 41 inches in the vertical jump. This speedy safety will be zipping down the field in the #30 Redskins jersey!
This Alabama native knows a winning team! Say hello to rookie defensive linebacker, Shaun Dion Hamilton. The linebacker hails from a strong line defensive players at Alabama’s Crimson Tide. The NFC Scouting Director has described the defensive lineman as the brains behind Alabama’s linebacker operation. The rookie is set to start taking names on the field wearing the #30.
Good luck to all of our new players!
Watch the Ravens and Redskins face off in the classic Battle of the Beltway pre-season game August 30, 2018!