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+---- Thread: *London Royals Roster Breakdown (/showthread.php?tid=28583)
*London Royals Roster Breakdown - DApolloS - 12-30-2020
London Royals Roster Breakdown
***Disclaimer: I started writing this before the team played their 10th and 11th games so if you’re wondering why some players have only 9 games and others have 11 games in their S26 write up.
Charlemagne Cortez, Quarterback
Cortez is in his final season as the London Royals starting quarterback. He was drafted by the Royals in the S23 DSFL Draft in the 6th Round, 43rd Overall. The Royals actually traded a defensive tackle to Tijuana to make the pick.
Charlemagne played in all 14 games that season behind starter Colby Jack, who was in his final year with the Royals. In those 14 games, Cortez had 37 completed passes on 76 attempted passes for 398 yards. He also had 3 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions. Not much was expected of Cortez that season as he was mostly expected to get his feet wet and get used to the team.
Next up for Cortez was the ISFL draft, where he went to the Arizona Outlaws with the first pick of the 3rd round (25th overall)
In S24, with the ISFL draft behind him, Cortez took the reigns for the first time as the sole quarterback on the roster, and he did not disappoint. He had a league best 2744 passing yards, going 259 completions on 457 attempts. He finished the regular season with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That season saw the London Royals, led by their fresh young quarterback, win the final game of the season, becoming Ultimini Champions. The first round, they trampled over the Pythons in a 22-3 decision. Cortez did his part, going 21 for 41 with 170 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The team mostly dominated on the ground, but we’ll look at that in a bit when we look over our team’s runningbacks. In the Finals against The Norfolk Seawolves, the team went into the 4th quarter down 17-14. It wasn’t until the 6:17 mark that the team managed to tie it up with an 18 yard field goal. With the game tied, Norfolk tried to make another scoring series, but it was dismantled when Cadaire hit runningback Ramza and jarred the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by Domine, giving Cortez a great opportunity to give their team the league late in the game. Charlemagne did not disappoint, as he completed the first pass to runningback King for the eventual game winning score. The Royals were crowned Champions, going into an off season where they were about to be gutted of their strong roster by ISFL teams.
S25, coming off their championship, Cortez was expected to lead his now very different looking team. With two hot rookie quarterbacks now in the league, Cortez dropped to 3rd in passing yard on the season with 2377 on 235-414 attempt. He scored one less touchdown that season with 16 but also had one less INT (9). This season would see the Royals reach the Ultimini Championship again, but this time, they were upset by a lesser Luchadores team, losing 42-16.
Now in S26, Cortez has a young QB nipping at his heels. He currently sits 2nd in passing yards through 9 games with 1734, but he only has 6 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. With the Royals sitting in 3rd place with a 5-4 record, Cortez might not get another chance to make it to the DSFL Championship game. Regardless, it has been a great run for him and we wish him the best at the next level!
Exo Cortal, Quarterback
Exo joined the team prior to their week 5 matchup against the Grey Ducks. Through his first 5 career games, he has been very impressive. He has 138 passing yards, completing 19 passes on 34 attempts. What’s also impressive is his 6 touchdown passes on those 19 attempts. Will Exo blow things up next season when he gets the starting role with the team? We’re all excited to find out!
Terri Yaki, Runningback
S24 DSFL Draft saw London embarrass the rest of the DSFL teams, hitting on their picks, even in the 11th round, where they drafted dominating RB, Terri Yaki with pick 85.
Yaki shared carries that season with King and Batista. They didn’t have as many yards on the ground as other team’s rusher combos, but he did alright for himself. He had 1032 rushing yards on 230 carries and 6 touchdowns. He also contributed to the passing game with 80 yards on 12 catches. It isn’t much, but every bit counts. In the playoffs, it seemed nothing could stop the running game. The first game vs Portland had Yaki rush 15 times for 122 yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. King also broke the 100 yard threshold with 102 yards on 20 carries. Despite all their yards, Yaki scored the only rushing touchdown in that game for the Royals to finish out the 2nd quarter. He had a tremendous 52 yard run for the score. The finals saw a lot of the same for the running duo as both came just within 100 yards rushing, Yaki with 99 and King with 22. This time it was King’s turn to get the scores as he finished with 2 touchdowns. Regardless, they did their job and helped The Royals clinch their first Ultimini on their 2nd attempt in the finals.
Following their Victory, the Arizona Outlaws decided they would continue to build their Championship pipeline, and doubled down by picking their 2nd RB of the draft in the 5th round with the 64th pick, taking the dominating rusher Terri Yaki.
Once again, with a strong performance from some fantastic looking rookies on other teams, Yaki fell behind in the rushing title, despite improving on his previous numbers. He finished out the season 6th in rushing yards with 1227 on 259 attempts. It was a great year for him and he did his part helping The Royals reach the Finals again, where they lost, as mentioned before.
S26 is seeing much of the same consistency from Yaki, where he has 728 yards on 143 carries through the first 9 games. This season he also has a fresh-faced rookie learning from him in RB Hehe Jamison. Let’s take a look at another future Royals star next.
Hehe Jamison, Runningback
Jamison came in to take over after drafted RB Tahj Glover no showed to camp. He has done a good job complimenting Terri’s running game and has done well for himself with the team. Through the first 11 games this year, he’s accumulated 561 yards on 160 carries and has converted 1 score. He is getting pretty even carries with Yaki but he needs to try and find more yardage to be more effective. But, he is also still young and has lots of time to develop himself into the next London 1st string running back.
Tugg Speedman, Wide Receiver
Tugg was drafted by London Royals at the end of the 2nd round with pick 16 during the S25 DSFL Draft. He came into camp as one of two rookie receivers expected to rejuvenate a receiving core that was gutted by DSFL teams after their championship. Big shoes for these guys to fill. And fill them they did. Tugg had one of the best seasons among rookie receivers totaling 841 yards on 73 catches. He also had 4 Touchdowns that season.
Following his impressive rookie season, he was selected by the San Jose SaberCats with the final pick of the 1st round.
This year, Speedman is living up to his name, currently sitting 3rd in yards with 765 through the first 11 games with 5 TDs. He is also tied for first in most yards per catch which is great for both him and the team.
Schumi Hulkenvettel, Wide Receiver
Another steal for the Royals from the S25 DSFL Draft. Schumi was the other rookie receiver to walk into camp with Speedman. He did a great job behind Tugg as the team’s number 2 target, finishing with 641 yards on 53 catches and 3 touchdowns. He came in and gave Cortez 2 reliable options with the passing game.
He was picked by the Berlin Fire Salamanders in the S26 ISFL Draft with the 32nd pick (3rd round).
This year Hulkenvettel has already eclipsed his rookie season numbers with 651 yards. He is the other receiver tied with Speedman for best average (from regular players). Both have done a tremendous job with the team so far and if London wants a chance to go back to the Finals for the 3rd year in a row, they will have to continue to bring their A-game.
Tsuyu Asui, Wide Receiver
Asui came in to round out the team’s receiving core, and he’s done just that. The Royals have done a great job to put him in a position to succeed once Hulkenvettel and Speedman take off for greener pastures. The fisty kid has put up 509 yards so far through the first 11 games.
Frank Michell, Tight End
Michell came to the Royals as an Offensive Lineman in the 6th round of the S23 DSFL Draft. After talks with the team, he decided to change over to the tight end position, where he has thrived.
S23 saw the rookie accumulate 281 receiving yards on 40 targets with 2 touchdowns.
The following season Michell took on a bigger role as he upped his receiving yards and touchdowns to 557 and 4 respectively. He was another member of the team’s Ultimini Championship roster, although he was only targeted twice for 11 yards. Regardless, the team walked away with the win, so I’m sure he didn’t mind the limited targets.
S25 saw him change his usage a little bit as the team started to slot him in the Fullback position. He was still a big part of the passing game with 679 Yards with a team leading 7 receiving touchdowns.
Now with his final DSFL season under way, he is looking to show his ISFL team, The Yallowknife Wraiths, that he is ready to take on a big role with their team. He is leading the team in the touchdown category with 4 and has put together 338 yards in the air. The last piece from the S24 Ultimini should find himself a good home once he gets called up.
The team’s offensive line this year is made up of a group the Royals pulled off the street. They won’t get a deep dive like the regulars on the team, but they protect our QB, so we’ll name them here:
Manifest Destiny, Tackle
Alexander Alexander, Tackle
Fran Chett, Guard
Kaladin Stormblessed, Guard
High Loew, Center
Thanks for looking out for the team’s interests!
Now to take a look at the team’s defense. There are only 2 members from the defense when the team won their S24 Championship. We’ll start with them.
Steven Wadham, Safety
Wadham came to Royals in the 13th round of the S24 DSFL Draft, 101st overall. That year he mostly played in a supplemental role to learn from the team’s big names. He did his part though, getting 31 tackles and 3 sacks.
After his rookie season, it was time for him to get drafted to the big league. He was selected by the Sarasota Sailfish in the 5th round, being part of three picks in a row by the team.
Following his draft year, he showed up, dominating receivers as he put together 61 tackles, 2 Froced Fumbles, recovering one of them for a turnover, he also had 3 sacks, 4 pass deflectionsand 3 interceptions.
Now as one of the veteran leaders on the team in S26, he’s once again put the fear into opposing offences with 56 tackles, 2 sacks and 5 interceptions, returning 2 of those picks for touchdowns. With 3 games left on the year, he’s sure to cement himself as the top safety in the league and will most likely be brought up following another phenomenal year.
Gavin Leclerc, Corner Back
Gavin was another piece brought in during the huge S24 DSFL Draft. He also played behind a lot of big names his rookie year putting up only 18 tackles and 1 pass deflection.
His ISFL rights were picked up by the Berlin Fire Salamanders in the their inaugural year through the draft.
Now that all the big names were gone in S25, Leclerc took on a bigger role putting up 55 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT and 4 PDs.
Leclerc struggled to maintain those numbers in S26 after the team brought in more hungry young defenders, through 11 games, he has 31 tackles and 2 Interceptions.
Logan Sarrasin, Linebacker
Sarrasin was the team’s 3rd round pick in the S25 draft. He played a big role with the team behind top linebacker L’Gazzy Burfict, Finishing his rookie year with 96 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 interception that he brought back for a touchdown.
After his impressive rookie year, The Arizona Outlaws picked him with the 23rd selection (2nd round).
Now in his second season with the Royals, he has tried his best to fill the hole left by Burfict’s departure through 11 games. Sarrasin started out the year slow, but has since caught fire having 2 games with over 15 tackles. So far this year, he has 97 tackles, 7 of them Tackles for losses, 4 sacks, 1 interception and 5 passes deflected. He is waiting to see whether the Outlaws will bring him up after another impressive year or if the team lets him marinate a little longer in the DSFL.
Caven McRae, Safety
McRae, or as most of the team likes to call him, MacDaddy, was selected the following round after Sarrasin (4th round).
His rookie year he did his part with 79 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
He managed to impress the Baltimore Hawks with his rookie year as they made him their 2nd round pick in the S26 ISFL Draft.
Now with the pressure of the draft behind him, he is one of the few returning players on a very young defense. His tackles are on pace to be just below his previous season, with 60 so far and his other numbers are also falling behind, but he has done his part to teach the younger players on defense.
You’re probably getting tired of me going on and on about this team, so we’re going to run through the remaining rookie defenders on the team. They are a talented group.
Duke Cheecks, Linebacker
The team’s 1st round pick in S26, he has impressed lining up next to Sarrasin, putting up 82 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 1 sack. With the impending departure of Sarrasin after this season, He looks to impress next year for the Royals.
Marlon Brando, Defensive Tackle
London selected him 15th overall, another big piece to rebuild their defense. Lined up next to fellow drafty Callaghan Jr., he’s put up 35 tackles and 2 sacks so far this year and has been a big part of the team’s defensive line. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes in the ISFL draft after the season concludes.
Fergus Callaghan Jr., Defensive Tackle
Fergus lines up next to Brando on the team’s defensive line. He has 40 tackles, 3 TFLs and 5 sacks. Not bad for a rookie in the DSFL.
Zane Cruz, Defensive End
Cruz has also been a force to be reckoned with. He has quietly put together a very good rookie season with 36 tackles, 4 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, which puts him 3rd in the league in that category (TFLs)
Anansi Spiderson, Safety
Another threat to receivers’ success, he has defended 12 passes and picked off 2 of them. He also has 28 tackles and 1 forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Thank you for putting up with me through out this srticle. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
RE: London Royals Roster Breakdown - WildfireMicro - 12-30-2020
Nice breakdown!