Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Former football players extending careers outside of the NFL
04/23/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
April 23, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - With the NFL Draft taking place this weekend in primetime on ESPN, the Southern Illinois football team has several alums that have extended their playing careers outside the NFL in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League and Indoor Football League.
Running back Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) and linebacker Bart Scott (New York Jets) are the only two former Salukis on current NFL rosters. However, SIU has four alums playing in the AFL, one in the Canadian Football League and Larry Luster, a defensive tackle for the Salukis from 2006-07, is playing for the Bloomington Extreme of the IFL.
Running back Arkee Whitlock (2004-06), SIU's second all-time leading rusher with 4,241 yards, is entering his second season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. Whitlock signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007, and after being released during training camp, signing on with the San Francisco 49ers for the preseason, he landed back with the Vikings as a member of their 2007 practice squad.
He was released from Minnesota in 2008 and moved onto the CFL. In his first season with the Eskimos, Whitlock rushed for 1,293 yards on 211 carries and he had 12 touchdowns. He was named the CFL Special Teams Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week one time each during his rookie season in Edmonton.
Quarterback Nick Hill (2005-07), who holds the SIU record for most passing yards in a season, most passing yards in a game and the highest pass completion percentage in a career, is one of four former Southern Illinois players in the AFL. Hill is the quarterback for the Orlando Predators. He joined Orlando after being waved from the Chicago Bears, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of college.
Also in the AFL are former Saluki wide receivers Alan Turner (2004-07) and Quorey Payne (2002-05) and linebacker Micha King (2004-06). Turner is a member of the Chicago Rush, Payne plays for the Spokane Shock and King plays for the Iowa Barnstormers.
Saluki fans can watch catch some of the AFL games with the former Dawgs through the NFL Network. Below is a list of the remaining televised games that former Salukis will be competing in. All games on the NFL Network are televised at 8 p.m. ET.
Once the CFL season kicks off in July, select games can also be seen on espn3.com (formerly ESPN 360) for Mediacom subscribers.
April 24 - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs at Iowa Barnstormers (Micha King)
April 30 - Iowa Barnstormers (Micha King) at Orlando Predators (Nick Hill)
May 21 - Arizona Rattlers at Iowa Barnstormers (Micha King)
May 28 - Tampa Bay Storm at Orlando Predators (Nick Hill) June 4 - Jacksonville Sharks at Chicago Rush (Alan Turner)
June 12 - Jacksonville Sharks at Orlando Predators (Nick Hill)
July 2 - Chicago Rush (Alan Turner) at Tampa Bay Storm
July 16 - Spokane Shock (Quorey Payne> at Iowa Barnstormers (Micha King)
July 23 - Chicago Rush (Alan Turner) at Spokane Shock (Quorey Payne)
