The LA KISS of the Arena Football League drew 76 participants for their final open tryouts for the 2015 season Saturday at Santa Ana College, with a decision expected Monday if any of them will receive an offer to sign a contract or an invitation to training camp, a team official said.
The tryouts included a 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle run, long jump, the “L drill” in which players run around cones positioned in the shape of an L, and specific drills for each position group, according to Grady Tucker Jr., the team’s director of scouting.
“Sometimes these players that are participating in tryout are over looked at times and they need a shot to be able to show what they got as football players,” LA KISS coach Bob McMillen said.
Every AFL team conducts open tryouts annually. McMillen’s AFL playing career came as a result of an open tryout. He went on to play nine seasons in the league and was elected to its Hall of Fame.
The KISS found two starters at last year’s open tryouts, defensive back A.J. Cruz and fullback Sam Campbell.
The KISS is scheduled to open training camp Friday at Santa Ana College and begin regular-season play March 27 at Portland.
— Steven Herbert, MyNewsLA.com