Where are the Leading AAF Rushers Now?
By Pat Rifino
In 2019 many fans of Alt Football were blessed to experience the Alliance of American Football. While the season was cut short for eight weeks fans were able to enjoy another avenue and outlet of professional football. With the USFL kicking off I wanted to go down memory and revisit some of the leading rushers for the AAF teams. Some of the players have remained relevant and continued their careers while others have fallen into professional football anonymity.
Atlanta Legends: Tarean Folston 56 Att 236 Yds 1 TD
Folston went undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2017 after tearing his ACL his senior year. Upon receiving zero NFL interest Folston joined the AAF’s Atlanta Legends out rushing both Brandon Radcliff and Aaron Murray. Folston would extend his career with the Tampa Bay Vipers and would be De’Veon Smith’s backup. After a short stint in the CFL with the Edmonton Elks Folston has since found his way out of football.
Arizona Hotshots: Jhurell Pressley 96 Att 430 Yds 1 TD
Despite only scoring one touchdown Pressley led the league in rushing for the AAF. Before joining the AAF Pressley would have stints with the Vikings, Packers, Falcons, Jaguars, and Giants. Upon the AAF folding, Pressley would be drafted in the 3rd round of the XFL draft by the DC Defenders where he would again lead his team in rushing. Pressley has remained unsigned upon the folding of the XFL 2.0.
Birmingham Iron: Trent Richardson 125 Att 366 Yds 11 TD
Richardson is definitely the most notable name on this list. The number three overall pick in the 2012 draft has had a diverse career for sure. After being released by the Ravens in 2016, Richardson went to the CFL in 2017. In 2018, a child custody battle would force Richardson to join the AAF in which he had a surprisingly successful season scoring Twelve Touchdowns in Eight games. After the AAF Richardson joined the AAF Futbol Americano de Mexico, where he is the running back for the Caudillos de Chihuahua.
Memphis Express: Zac Stacy 101 Att 312 Yds 3 Td
Stacy was once a promising 5th rd pick out of Vanderbilt in 2013, rushing for almost 1,000 yds in his rookie season. Stacy would underperform in 2014 and 2015 before “retiring” in 2017 due to injuries. After coming out of retirement in 2018 Stacy would join the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but would be released in the preseason. Stacy would lead the underwhelming Express team in rushing and be second on the team in receiving. Stacy currently is in prison due to domestic assault charges in 2021.
Orlando Apollos: D'ernest Johnson 64 Att 372 Yds 2 Td
Johnson may be the most successful story on our list. Upon not being signed in 2018, Johnson joined the Orlando Apollos in the AAF. Johnson would be a part of the most dynamic offense in the AAF, and was second in the league in rushing. Johnson would translate his success in the AAF into a roster spot in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Johnson came to notoriety in week 7 of the 2021 season as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were both ruled out due to injury. Johnson ran for 146 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown, and was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Johnson is still currently signed by the Browns for the 2022 season.
Salt Lake Stallions: Joel Bouagnon 101 Att 360 Yds 6 TD
Bouagnon would enter professional football as an UDFA. After stints with the Bears, Packers, Lions, and Jets, Bouagnon would join the Stallions in 2019. Bouagnon put up solid numbers placing in the Top 5 in rushing yards, and was 2nd in rushing touchdowns.Upon the termination of the AAF, Bouagnon has remained unsigned.
San Antonio Commanders:Kenneth Farrow 106 372 4 TD
Farrow was viewed as a fan favorite in the AAF and in Spring Football in general. After playing in thirteen games with the Chargers in 2016, Farrow spent 2017 injured and 2018 on practice squads before joining the Commanders in 2019. Farrow would place 2nd in rushing before the league folded. He would then join the Seattle Dragons, in 2020 joining Ja’Quan Gardner in the XFL where he would lead the Dragons in rushing. Since the XFL, Farrow has not played or been signed by a professional team.
San Diego Fleet: Ja'Quan Gardner 64 Att 311 Yds 3 TD
Gardner signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018. He provided depth at running back during the organization’s final preseason gameGardner was released, and joined the AAF in 2019. Gardner would set the record for longest rush in the AAF, before joining Kenneth Farrow with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons. Since the XFL folded Gardner has remained unsigned despite declaring for the 2022 USFL Draft.
