Rattlers assigned DL Luis Vasquez

(photo credit: arenafootball.com)

The Arizona Rattlers were assigned defensive lineman Luis Vasquez for the 2016 Arena Football League season. This will be Vasquez’s first season with the Rattlers and his sixth season in the AFL. Before joining the Rattlers, Vasquez was with the San Jose SaberCats for three seasons. During those three seasons, Vasquez had 56.5 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and two pass breakups.

Before joining the SaberCats, Vasquez played for the Milwaukee Mustangs. During the 2012 season, he earned second team All-Arena honors with 8.5 sacks, 28.5 tackles and 5 pass breakups. In 2009, Vasquez also spent some time with the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens. Vasquez attended Arizona State University where he earned all-Pac 12 honors twice after he finished his career with 78 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Gales Ferry, Connecticut native was considered the best high school player on defense while attending Ledyard High School. He the Eastern Connecticut Conference Most Valuable Player and he earned All-State honors in both 2002-2003 and he was a three time All-Conference honoree from 2001-2003. Vasquez has 104 tackles, 20.0 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in his Arena Football League career. Before entering the AFL, Vasquez played for the Arkansas Diamonds of the Indoor Football League (IFL). 

Vasquez earned first-team All-IFL honors during the 2010 season. Vasquez also won WSFL defensive player of the year in 2005. WSFL is a league for junior colleges in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Vasquez is a hard hitting lineman who has experience in the AFL. 

He will be a great addition to an already stellar Rattlers defense. Vasquez is the second defensive player acquired by the Rattlers this week joining cornerback Jordan Legree. The Rattlers will play the Portland Thunder on April 1 to kick off the 2016 AFL season.