***Storm Press Release***
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Stormacquired defensive linemen Dexter Jackson and John Brown, announced vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.
“We are excited to see Dexter and John in training camp,” said Gooch. “This is the time where we are trying to find the right pieces as we head into training camp. Hopefully they will provide competition as we move into the upcoming weeks.”
Jackson (6-foot-2, 270 lbs., Bethune-Cookman) enters his fourth season in the Arena Football League and first in a Storm uniform. He spent the 2013 season with the Orlando Predators and played in 10 games on the defensive line and at the Mac linebacker position. He recorded 10 tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and two blocked kicks in his time with Orlando. Jackson also spent time with the Milwaukee Mustangs and San Jose SaberCats. For his AFL career he has 42 total tackles, eight sacks, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, a pass breakup and an interception.
Prior to turning pro Jackson played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman University. He played four seasons with the Wildcats and earned first team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors his senior season. He started in 26-of-42 games and tallied 154 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Brown (6-foot-1, 285 lbs., Valdosa State) joins the Storm for his first season in the AFL. He joined the team late in the 2013 season. Brown started his collegiate career at Northeast Mississippi Community College before settling down with the Blazers. The Lakeland, FL native started in 6-of-11 games. He recorded 22 tackles including two sacks for a loss of 14 yards and a blocked kick.
The team activated defensive back De’Audra Dix from the injured reserve list.
Dix (5-foot-10, 180 lbs., John C. Smith) started in 7-of-7 games for the Storm during his 2013 campaign. In just seven games he had five interceptions to go along with 30.5 tackles, nine pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Before he came to the Storm he spent three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and won back-to-back Grey Cup Championships (2009 and 2010).