Player Spotlight with Walter Dublin

Adam Barnhardt: Walter, first off, what/who brought you to Iowa?

Walter Dublin: That’s a good question, being that I am from Florida, it definitely wasn’t the weather. I would have to say the whole package led to my decision. The Iowa Barnstormers run a first-class organization up in Des Moines, Coach John Gregory has a great track record of excellence in the Arena Football League, and the ‘Stormer fans are some of the best fans I have yet to experience. I am very much looking forward to playing in front of over 10,000 football-loving fans.

AB: You played defensive end in college and then Mack Linebacker last year with af2's Lubbock Renegades. Will you be playing the same position or does Coach Gregory have something else in store?

WD: From what I understand, I will be alternating back and forth between the two positions. My size, quickness and skill set is tailored more to the Mack Linebacker position, but it doesn’t matter to me, I’ll play whatever is needed to help win a championship.

AB: Alright, with that being done, let's have the viewers get to know more about you. Tell us some stuff (where you're from/where you went to high school/high school honors/college/college honors/etc.).

WD: I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, where I spent just over one year of my childhood. I then moved to Sarasota, Florida, where I currently reside. While in high school, I was the #10 ranked Defensive End in the United States. I was a USA Today 2nd Team All-American, Max Emfinger All-American and All-State out of Sarasota High School. I received athletic scholarship offers from over 35 Div-1A universities (including Notre Dame, University of Florida, Southern Cal, and Virginia Tech) and eventually decided to go with the Ohio State University. While I was there, in my freshman year, I won the Impact Scout Team Player of the Year award. I was such a disruptive force in practice that I was then drafted in the 2nd round for the annual Scarlet & Gray game. I ended moving up to 2nd on the depth chart, behind Vernon Gholston (NFL first round pick). Then, due to some unfortunate circumstances, I had to go home to Florida and be with my family. In the process I lost my athletic scholarship. Last year, I was the youngest athlete in Arena Football League to make a professional roster with the Georgia Force (19 years old). After spending time on their practice squad, I was released and signed with the Lubbock Renegades of the AF2 and immediately took over the starting linebacker role, beating out a 2-year NFL alum, eventually leading him to get released. In the four games that I played with Lubbock, I finished with 7 sacks (2nd on team), 9 tackles for loss (2nd on team), and 4 pass breakups (5th on team). This offseason, just about every team in the AF2 had been courting me for my services, I had also garnered heavy interest from the Georgia Force, Kansas City Brigade, Tampa Bay Storm, LA Avengers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. I am also the Co-Owner of the sports management firm SSA Worldwide Inc. (http://ssaworldwide.110mb.com/). At 20 years old I have experienced quite a bit, and although I am young, I look forward to my career both on and off the field.

AB: I almost forgot, you also help run an indoor football combine where players can show off their talents, correct?

WD: Absolutely, we actually have one coming up on January 3rd in Sarasota, Florida. It is always great to help those players that didn’t get the look they feel they deserved whether it is due to attending a small school or maybe not attending school at all. There is a ton of talent that goes overlooked year in and year out, simply because they did not give the proper amount of exposure. That is why we started SSA Worldwide Inc. To help those players fulfill their dreams of playing professional football. So far this winter, we have signed over 18 professional football contracts, on all levels. It has been a great 2008.

AB: Who does SSA Worldwide currently represent? Any NFL players?
WD: While we do prefer to assist those "off the radar" guys that I spoke of previously, we do represent several athletes in the NFL. Our clients include former 2-time All Arena defensive back Marquis Floyd whom is currently playing with the Seattle Seahawks. We also represent two Houston Texans, linebackers Justin Roland and Fredricc Brock. As with everything in business, patience is golden. We understand that in order to be successful we must build our reputation as reliable people. I think we are doing a great job of that.

AB: What are the AFL players that you represent going to do this season now that the league has taken a year off?

WD: Right now, everybody is just patiently waiting for word on what they can or cannot do.

AB: Well Walter, thanks for the time and I'm sure that everyone in the Iowa Barnstormers fanbase as well organization is estatic to have a player of your caliber playing with us!

WD: Thank you Adam, I very much look forward to playing in front of the great 'Stormer fans and bringing home the '09 Arena Cup. We will do everything in our power to bring pride to the great city of Des Moines this season.