The Utah Blaze announced the acquisition of defensive lineman Rob Schroeder (6-foot-4, 285 pounds, Buffalo) and offensive lineman Aaron Gibson (6-6, 370, Wisconsin) from the Austin Wranglers. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed due to team policy.
The Blaze traded the rights for QB Adrian McPherson to the Wranglers for future considerations last November. The future considerations included the Blaze receiving two picks from the Wranglers' roster following the 2007 season.
"One of our major goals in the offseason is to improve our offensive and defensive lines," said Blaze head coach and general manager Danny White. "The signing of these two talented veterans is going to help us meet that goal."
Schroeder spent his rookie season with the Wranglers where he played 15 games and recorded 18 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks. He also tallied seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks on the 2007 season. Schroeder's stats this season earned him an AFL All-Rookie team selection.
Gibson, who also finished up his rookie season with the Wranglers, played 11 games in 2007 and recorded 3.0 tackles. During two of his four years at Wisconsin (1995-98), Gibson blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Rob Dayne. He earned first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and team co-MVP honors as a senior. Gibson became the first Badger to be named as a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland trophy.