Albany State University Golden Rams Sends Three to NFL Camps

(COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS)

ALBANY, Georgia  --  Albany State football players Justin Blash, Nathan Hoyte and Ronnie Tubbs have been invited to participate in NFL teams camps as free agents.  Blash will be headed to the New York Giants’ tryouts, while Hoyte and Tubbs will participate with the New Orleans Saints.  A press conference will be held to celebrate the three players’ achievement.  It will be held on Albany State campus at Lovett Hall on May 1^st at 11 a.m.

“I am happy for the guys to have this opportunity to do something they love,” said ASU football coach James “Mike” White.

Blash, a 6’5, 345-pound defensive tackle from Alma, Georgia, served as the Golden Rams defensive anchor in 2012.  He recorded 30 tackles (14 solo, seven for a total of 18 yards lost), 1.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries.  Blash was named to the 2012 SIAC All-Conference First Team.

Hoyte, a 5-10, 195-pound running back, established himself as ASU’s leading rusher this past season.  A Baltimore, Maryland native, Hoyte totaled 927 rushing yards with a 4.9 average.  He also had 10 touchdowns and collected 83 receiving yards.  Because of his stellar season, Hoyte was named to the 2012 SIAC All-Conference Second Team.

Despite a season filled with injuries, Tubbs, a Yazoo City, Mississippi native, was still one of the team’s focal points.  While playing wide receiver, the 6-3, 180-pound Tubbs caught 22 passes for 221 yards and scored a touchdown.

With the trio being invited to participate in the NFL camps, this marks the first time the Golden Rams’ program has had this many players to receive invitations in one season.

“For a school our size, it’s a rarity to have three players selected to work with NFL teams,” said ASU athletics director Dr. Richard Williams.  “We are extremely proud of these young men, and we look forward to their continued success.


COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY (Ga.) SPORTS INFORMATION