Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

07 Jul 19
Posted by Terry Biggs

Birmingham, AL - When deciding the APDFL Top 50, the criteria never wavered. Between film and accurate stats, this list wrote itself. With that said, due to outstanding playoff performance, we needed to shift some players to honorable mention. As a result, this season presented a close list. Congratulations to those who made the list.

Honorable Mention
Joseph Reese (P, East Alabama Predators)
Rationale: Reese dropped 12 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Additionally, his 38.2 yards per punt rated first among punters with more than ten kicks.

Eric Williams (RB, Georgia Noles)
Rationale: Despite leading the APDFL in yards per carry (8.9), Williams narrowly missed the Top 50. 127 of his yards occurred in one game. (April 6th vs. Georgia Kings)

Derek King (OL, East Alabama Predators)
Rationale: King gains the nod for playing out of position for the Predators. He stepped up and helped the Predators grab attention with sound blocking.

50-26
50. Bruce Jones (DB, Alabama Blackhawks)
Rationale: Tallying six picks, including five during their six game win streak to end the season. The veteran Jones feasts on lazy routes.

49. Justin Chappell (WR, Selma Vikings)
Rationale: Chappell gave the Vikings offense teeth with 14.3 yards per catch. Although the Vikings struggled in 2019, Chappell played well enough to grab a spot.

48. David Flowers (K, Gulf Coast Gators)
Rationale: The best kicker in the league, period. Flowers connected on sixty percent of his kicks. More importantly, his foot led to victories.

47. Jerquin Vines (ATH, East Alabama Predators)
Rationale: Vines gave the Predators a weapon everywhere. Yet, his 14.7 yards per reception and 60 percent catch rating, along with four scores sets him apart.

46. Felipe Henderson (WR, Steel City Raptors)
Rationale: While the team’s ownership let him down without providing stats. However, numerous clips and film found their way to us. Henderson’s speed and agility allowed the Raptors to compete in 2019.

45. Dre Jones (OL, Alabama Blackhawks)
Rationale: Dominating blocker that lives for blocking. Jones brings a nasty disposition and ferocity towards the game.

44. Westley Watkins (DB, Alabama Blackhawks)
Rationale: Four of Watkins’ six regular season picks arrived during games versus playoff teams. The 22-year old defender will only improve and probably climb this list.

43. Terrell Singleton (OL, Tuskegee Ayrmen)
Rationale: Singleton’s ability to anchor an offensive line provided the Ayrmen ample time to move the ball. In a league where blocking is at a premium, Singleton entrenched himself as one of the league’s standouts. Clearing the way for 72.7 rushing yards per game speaks volumes.

42. Anthony Williams (WR, Mississippi Dynasty)
Rationale: The Yancey Powell Selection. Although Williams tallied a 21.3 yards per catch season in 2019, he elevated his game during the playoffs. On the big stage, Williams did not wilt, giving defenses fits. Speed kills. The Cobras found that out the hard way.

41. Kyiewajtne Ward (ATH, Selma Vikings)
Rationale: Originally profiled as strictly a defender, Ward’s ability to stretch the field as a wideout opened eyes. Yet, it’s his ability to patrol the secondary and above-average ball skills earns this honor. Ward snared six picks, leading the Vikings’ back four. More importantly, his three return scores makes him a future problem for offenses.

40. Quinton Patrick (DL, East Alabama Predators)
Rationale: Ten sacks and fifteen tackles for loss for an undersized defensive linemen screams playmaker. Patrick’s motor and leverage will allow the Predators to build around him.

39. Keywan Bullock (DB, Crescent City Kings)
Rationale: Normally, a corner with only two picks would not sniff this list. Yet, Bullock contributed in a variety of ways. First, not many corners embrace tackling with such vigor. Bullock’s 51 tackles profile him as a complete corner. In addition, Bullock displayed an effective blitz.

38. Jermain Swanigan (Edge, P-Town Wreckaz)
Rationale: Nine of Swanigan eleven total sacks in 2019 came against playoff teams. Swanigan forces opponents to account for him. While sacks matter, when you accumulate them remains important.

37. Adonis McCaskey (RB, Alabama Blackhawks)
Rationale: While he did play behind a stellar line, McCaskey fought his way on the list with a 7.1 ypc. On top of that, his willingness to truck opponents gave the Blackhawks offense their smashmouth identity. If he doesn’t suffer an injury in the playoffs, and the Blackhawks didn’t veer from a smart gameplan, they face the Dynasty in the championship.

36. Isaac Warren ( LB, Gulf Coast Gators)
Rationale: While others worry about branding and talking, Warren’s consistency stands out. In 11 games, he notched 63 tackles. Warren arrives with malice to the ball-carrier.

35. John Moffett (WR, South Alabama Dolphins)
Rationale: Despite no posted film, opponents and coaches submitted film for him. Maybe, one of the quietest, most respected players in the league enters the list due to film provided by others. On the field, Moffett’s ability to create separation and cash in on accurate passes elevated the Dolphins’ offense.

34. Christopher Fowler (LB, Selma Vikings)
Rationale: On a young team, Fowler stepped up, finishing second in the league in total tackles ( 72) What stood out most is the consistent play. Fowler made just about every play in front of him.

33. Trent Mackey (LB, Louisiana Lightning)
Rationale: With a downhill style, Mackey attacked the line of scrimmage with abandon. 50 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles earn this spot.

32. Sam Washington (DL, Mississippi Dynasty)
Rationale: If you singularly focus on Washington during games, you see nothing flashy. Yet, what you see is a mentally strong player that forces the action and plays each snap like his last.

31. Chris McCarroll (OL, Alabama Blackhawks)
Rationale: The unquestioned leader of a dominant offensive line. McCarroll’s technique and ability to play at a high level. The Blackhawks benefit from his ability to control the situation at all times. Technically, McCarroll uses hand placement to win.

30. Jamarius Green (RB, Gulf Coast Gators)
Rationale: Despite his reputation for hard running, Green displayed above averge hands , snaring three scores. If you combine that with his ability to punish defenses, Green could be the best back that flies under the radar.

29. Bryant Smith (Edge, Selma Vikings)
Rationale: The best pass rusher that you don’t know. Smith wreaks havoc at the light with speed and surprising power. His ten sacks, eighteen TFL and fifty-seven tackles make him a shoo-in for this list.

28. Jay Hicks (RB, Mississippi Dynasty)
Rationale: Despite his angry pad level, Hicks shows decent nimbleness for his size. Add in the double digit touchdowns, leading the league in rushing TD and here we are. Meanwhile, his ability to step in and play extraordinarily well at linebacker gives him the edge on many two-way players. Underrated Fact: Hick never scored versus a non-playoff team. As a result, his touchdowns all count as important.

27. Jonny Warren (WR, Crescent City Kings)
Rationale: Let’s see, so much to choose. First, Warren averaged over twenty yards per catch (20.3). Next, he secured 79.3 percent of his targets. Next, he hung 115 yards on the Mississippi Dynasty. Warren is a foundational offensive piece to build around.

26. Rondarius Hooks (LB/Edge, East Alabama Predators)
Rationale: No linebacker picked off more passes than hook. Subsequently, the ability to cover vaults him up the list. Hooks flashed the ability to also play the run. Active, despite giving up fifty pounds, Hooks’ speed, and arm length helps him create space.