The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) continued to make signings to improve the defensive line for the 2010 season. Defensive line was the position of greatest need for the Wild heading into the off-season. The Wild have signed former Arena Football League (AFL) starter Collin Bryant and Bethel All-American James McCartney. This brings the number of new signings on the defensive line to five.
Bryant is entering his seventh season of professional football and making a return to Wichita to continue his professional career. In 2009, Bryant played for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs of Arenafootball2 (af2). In 2008, Bryant was named to the United Indoor Football All-Star team as a member of the Omaha Beef. The Clarksgrove, MN native tallied 44.5 tackles and led the team in sacks with six and tackles for loss with 15.5.
Bryant spent the 2005-2007 seasons in the AFL. Bryant started four games for the Kansas City Brigade in 2007 and eight games for the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2006. In 2005, Bryant played linebacker and wide receiver for Grand Rapids.
In 2004, Bryant played offensive and defensive line for the Wichita Stealth of af2. In Bryant's rookie season, he split time between Sioux City and Bismarck of the National Indoor Football League. Bryant played tight end at Minnesota State-Mankato from 1998-2002.
McCartney finished his college career at Bethel in Newton, KS in the fall of 2009. McCartney was a four-year starter for the Threshers, earning All-KCAC honors each season. In 2008, McCartney was named Co-KCAC Defensive Player of the Year. In 2009, the Hesston, KS native was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Year and an NAIA All-American. McCartney finished 6th in the nation in tackles for loss with 17.5 and 13th in the nation in forced fumbles. McCartney finished his career with 138 tackles and 16 sacks.
The Wild open the 2010 season at home on Friday, February 26 at 7:05 PM. Season tickets for the 2010 season are currently on sale. Fans can purchase tickets by calling call the Wild office at 316-440-5044 or go online to www.stage1tickets.com. Tickets start at only $79 for the entire season. The 2009 Wild finished with a 10-7 record and were crowned the Indoor Football League's Central Division Champions. Fans can also now text Wild to 59925 to receive the latest Wichita Wild updates and enter contests on your phone! Standard messaging rates apply.
