It seems like old times for two former USF players, who have joined forces for the Arena Football League Tampa Storm. Quarterback Matt Grothe made his AFL debut throwing five touchdown passes in just one half of play while completing 12 of 24 passes for 161 yards in last Saturday against the Georgia Storm.
Amarri Jackson continued to put an incredible ending on his rookie season that has exceeded all expectations. He caught two of Grothe’s TD passes, including a one-handed grab in the back of the endzone.
The Storm did lose the game, 58-40, but for these two guys that is inconsequential.
Grothe and Jackson have resurrected careers that many believed were over when they finished up at USF. It’s especially true for Grothe, the Big East Conference’s All-Time leader in total offense, who missed nearly all of his senior year because of a torn ACL.
Jackson leads Tampa Bay with 31 touchdown catches and 1,503 reception yards. He is second on the Storm with 119 receptions and needs seven more to pass Huey Whitaker, who has left for the team.
The Storm plays its last game of the season this Saturday at home in the St. Pete Times Forum against San Jose.
Jackson, who was a football/basketball standout at Sarasota Riverview, was cut loose after working out for several teams, including the Tampa Bay Bucs. His performance this year could open up some doors for the NFL. At 6-5, 215 pounds, the 26-year-old has the size and it appears his pass catching skills have improved dramatically.
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