Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

Posted on 25 Jun 2019
By APDFL Staff Writer

The five 2019 Commissioners MVP finalists have been announced and they represent three teams.

Gulf Coast Gators quarterback Tyrone Jones, Gulf Coast Gators defensive end Eugene Robinson, Georgia Cobras wide receiver Lavon Downs, Georgia Cobras quarterback Dion Graham, and Mississippi Dynasty athlete Lesteven Jackson.

In his first season for the Gators, Jones led his team to the National Conference Championship, setting every QB team record along the way. He led his team to an 11-2 record and defeated the American Conference Champion during the regular season. He finished the regular season having thrown for 1059 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a dual threat quarterback, he also led his team in rushing with 559 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.

The only defensive finalist, Robinson had yet another outstanding season for the Gators. He led all defensive players in sacks with 20.5 and added 7 tackles for a loss. As an undersized defensive end, he has constantly proven that skill and technique are just as important as anything else to the position.

Cobras standout receiver, Lavon Downs, took the league by storm in 2019. He led all receivers with 694 receiving yards and finished the season with 6 touchdowns. However, his magnitude on Saturday evenings does not stop there. Opposing defenses were tasked with finding a way to stop him on a weekly basis. His ability to change the game on one single play is his biggest attribute to his team and nightmare to anyone lined up in front of him.

Cobras quarterback, Graham, put up amazing numbers in 2019 as he led the Cobras to the American Conference Championship and the National Presidents Cup Championship. Graham led all passers in 2019 with 2081 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, an APDFL single season record. He was third in passing yards per game with 208. Considered a pocket passer, Graham proved over the course of the season that he has the ability to extend plays when necessary and on each occasion typically made his opponents pay. With all the accolades, his most impressive stat on the season was his ability to stay up and avoid the sack. With 247 pass attempts on the season, Graham was elusive enough to only be sacked on 4 occasions.

Jackson, the three time APDFL MVP, finds himself in a very familiar spot. Possibly the nations most athletic and versatile player to compete at this level has once again put up substantial numbers at each skilled position on the offensive side of the ball. As a passer, he finished the 2019 season with 803 yards passing and 11 touchdowns. As a rusher, he rushed for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, it’s his mere presence on the field that must be accounted for.