Zack Sanchez, Corner Back – San Antonio Commanders
Registering 134 tackles, 15 interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns) and two Big 12 Conference titles. The Carolina Panthers selected this former Oklahoma Sooner with the 141st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Yet, after two injury-plagued seasons (2016 and 2017) with the Carolina Panthers, the team parted ways with him. Now healthy, Sanchez began the AAF portion of his career by recording just the second interception in league history in the season opener against the San Diego Fleet.
LaQuvionte Gonzalez, Wide Receiver – San Diego Fleet
Between Texas A&M, Kansas, and Southeastern University, Gonzalez recorded over 1,000 receiving yards, 1,000 kick return yards and accounted for close to 20 total touchdowns at the collegiate level. The L.A. Rams brought him in as an undrafted free agent in 2018, but the log jam at the wide receiver position left him on the outside looking in. Now he’s making a name for himself with the Fleet.
Thomas Duarte, Tight End – Arizona Hotshots
After catching 97 passes for 1,626 yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons at UCLA (where he was an All-Pac-12 honoree), Duarte was a seventh-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2017. He went on to play for both the Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers, however, primarily in a backup role before being released altogether. Now with the Hotshots, Duarte catches passes for an offense that averages well over 400 total yards per game. Take that NFL!