Former Seminole, Golden Bear sign with Burn

Boise, Idaho ? With the just over a month until the start of camp, Boise Burn head coach Brent Winter is loading up on the offensive line and defensive secondary for the 2009 season. Today, the first year coach announced the signing?s of former Florida State offensive lineman Shannon Boatman, and former University of California Golden Bear defensive back Brandon Hampton to 35 man camp roster. Boatman (6?6? 335), was a 2 year starter for Bobby Bowden at Florida State University from 2006-2007. Following college, the Beaumont, Texas native signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins but missed out on camp after tearing his labrum prior to camp. Now as he prepares to rejuvenate his career, Boatman says he?s healthy and ready to show off his talents in Boise. ?I?m excited to play football and have a little fun. Boise is a football town and I?m looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.? Hampton, a 5?8? 190 lb defensive back from Los Angeles, California, played his college ball in the Pac-10 and spent his entire collegiate career playing for Jeff Tedford at the University of California-Berkeley. In 4 years as a Golden Bear, Hampton played in 45 games (started in 23) tallying 129 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 and ½ sacks and 5 interceptions. Having sat out in 2008, Hampton says he?s ready to get back on the field. ?I?m really excited, can?t wait to come up and help the team and I am just appreciative of the opportunity to get back on the field. I know it will be a great fit for me and the organization. In addition to Boatman and Hampton, Coach Winter has also announced that he has signed place kicker Kenny Byrd out of the University of New Mexico. Byrd, who grew up in Albuquerque, kicked for the Lobos from 2005-2006 and was a 2 time Lou Groza semifinalist, connecting on 84% of his field goals (32-38) and 93% on P.A.T?s (64-69) including a perfect 31-31 his senior year. Boatman, Hampton and Byrd will be entering their first year in the af2. Boise opens the 2009 campaign on Friday, March 27 at Tri-Cities. The Burn will host its West Division rival and defending National Conference Champion Spokane Shock for its home opener on Saturday, Apr. 18 at Qwest Arena. Season tickets are currently on sale. Call the front office at 208.383.0080 or check online at www.boiseburn.com for more information. About af2 With its 10th anniversary season set to begin in the spring of 2009, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to small-to-midsize cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans? Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League, which finished its 22nd season in July. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.