Four players were offered af2 player contracts with the Thunderbirds based on their performance. Pending league approval, the four-tryout standouts earned the right to join the team for training camp in March. The four players were Dominic Lee, Brad Lee, Michael McCullen and Lamont Finnie.

Dominic Lee is a 6’3”, 290 pound Defensive Tackle and four year starter from The University of Alabama.  He was considered by most to be the state's top prep defensive lineman coming out of high school. He was a second-team USA Today All-American team member coming out of high school. 

Brad Lee is a 6’2”, 260pound Fullback/Linebacker from Bethune-Cookman University.  He played for the Daytona Beach Thunder and will be back with the club this season.

Michael McCullen is a 5’11”, 180 pound Wide Receiver from Clarion University.  McCullen is quick and fast and he possesses great hands which should be an asset to Coach Herkie Walls’ deep passing attack.

Lamont Finnie is a 5’7” Wide Receiver from Tuskegee University.  Thunderbirds fans will remember last year’s game against Osceola when Finnie ran back the opening kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown.  He finished the day with four touchdowns.  He will be running back those kicks and catching those touchdown passes for the Thunderbirds this season.

Head Coach Herkie Walls was very pleased by what he saw during the tryout.  He was particularly impressed by what he saw from the quarterback position and from Dominic Lee, the Nose Tackle from Alabama.

When asked what he was looking for from players in these tryouts, Coach Walls was definitive in his answer.

“I am looking for men who know the game, are teachable and have great character” Coach Walls said.  “In this society, we need to find men with great character and who want to be role models on and off the field.  If I can find 25 men like that, it will be a wonderful season.”

Coach Walls also noted differences between the types of players that he is seeing this season compared to last season when the Thunderbirds played in the World Indoor Football League.

“Players in the Arena Football League and af2 are just better athletes” Coach Walls stated.  “Without NFL Europe there is more talent in Arena Football because it is becoming tougher to get into the NFL.”

Coach Walls was asked what the fans should expect when they come out to a Thunderbirds game this season. “It will be a very exciting and hard hitting game.  We will run a tight ship” Coach Walls exclaimed.  “The fans will see top professionals, with great character, every time they come to a game.

The Thunderbirds will hold there next open tryout in February.  No date, time or location has been set.