Alonzo Ephraim
Encyclopedia
Alonzo Brandon Ephraim is an arena football
offensive lineman for the New York Dragons
of the Arena Football League, as well as Team Alabama of the All American Football League
. He played college football
at Alabama
.
Ephraim was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles
in 2003. In his career he has also played for the Miami Dolphins
and Cleveland Browns
. In 2006, while with the Browns, he was suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, after which he was waived by the Browns.
On July 27, 2007, Ephraim signed with the All American Football League to play for Team Alabama when the league began play.
, where he played Center on offense and Defensive End
on defense. He was also the starting Center on the school's basketball
team as well. He also was on the baseball
and track
teams as well. In 1998, as a senior he was selected as the Class 6A Offesnive Lineman of the Year. As well, he was also a Super 12 (All-State) team Honorable mention, along with future college teammates Dante Ellington and Saleem Rasheed
. When he graduated he had a 3.2 GPA.
, Michigan
, UCLA
, Notre Dame
, Georgia Tech
, Nebraska
. In the end, he chose Alabama. As a true freshman, he appeared in just two games, for a total of 29 plays. He then played as a back-up for every game as a sophomore. He became a starter as a junior and played 708 plays that season, the most among Alabama offensive linemen, he also recorded 118 knock-down blocks. He was a Second-team All-America
selection his senior
year. He was also an All-SEC selection as a junior
. As a senior he was one of seven Alabama players selected as All-SEC. As a senior he was named to the Rimington Trophy watchlist.
, however signed as undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles
and played in 16 games as a rookie
. In 2004
, he played in 13 games with two starts at Right Guard two for the Eagles. He was then released on April 28, 2005. On August 2, 2005, he signed with the Miami Dolphins
. In his lone season with the Dolphins, he played in 13 games, with three starts. Then in 2006
, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Cleveland Browns
but was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was then waived after he completed his suspension. Over his four year NFL career, he played in 43 total games.
of the Arena Football League and played in three games as a rookie.
's national try-outs held on July 27, 2007, Ephraim along with fellow Alabama alumi's Reggie Myles, and Marcus Spencer signed with the league to play for Team Alabama. However, the league postponed their inaugural season until 2009.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
offensive lineman for the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
of the Arena Football League, as well as Team Alabama of the All American Football League
All American Football League
The All American Football League was a proposed professional American football league. The league, which was to combine a professional pay structure with the requirement that all players be college graduates, had originally been scheduled to start in the spring of 2007, but later postponed its...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
.
Ephraim was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2003. In his career he has also played for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In 2006, while with the Browns, he was suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, after which he was waived by the Browns.
On July 27, 2007, Ephraim signed with the All American Football League to play for Team Alabama when the league began play.
High school career
Ephraim attended Wenonah High SchoolWenonah High School
Wenonah High School is a high school for grades 9 - 12 in Birmingham, Alabama. It is part of the Birmingham City Schools.-Previous Wenonah High School :...
, where he played Center on offense and Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
on defense. He was also the starting Center on the school's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team as well. He also was on the baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
teams as well. In 1998, as a senior he was selected as the Class 6A Offesnive Lineman of the Year. As well, he was also a Super 12 (All-State) team Honorable mention, along with future college teammates Dante Ellington and Saleem Rasheed
Saleem Rasheed
Saleem Rasheed is an American and Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent.Rasheed formerly played for the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons in the National Football League...
. When he graduated he had a 3.2 GPA.
College career
Ephraim received interest from schools such as AlabamaAlabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
. In the end, he chose Alabama. As a true freshman, he appeared in just two games, for a total of 29 plays. He then played as a back-up for every game as a sophomore. He became a starter as a junior and played 708 plays that season, the most among Alabama offensive linemen, he also recorded 118 knock-down blocks. He was a Second-team All-America
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
selection his senior
2002 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season ended the season with what most consider an exciting double overtime national championship game. Ohio State and Miami both came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated. The underdog Buckeyes defeated the Hurricanes 31–24, ending Miami's 34 game winning...
year. He was also an All-SEC selection as a junior
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
. As a senior he was one of seven Alabama players selected as All-SEC. As a senior he was named to the Rimington Trophy watchlist.
National Football League
Ephraim went unselected in the 2003 NFL Draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
, however signed as undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and played in 16 games as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
. In 2004
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
, he played in 13 games with two starts at Right Guard two for the Eagles. He was then released on April 28, 2005. On August 2, 2005, he signed with the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In his lone season with the Dolphins, he played in 13 games, with three starts. Then in 2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
but was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was then waived after he completed his suspension. Over his four year NFL career, he played in 43 total games.
Arena Football League
On April 24, 2008, Ephraim signed with the New York DragonsNew York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
of the Arena Football League and played in three games as a rookie.
All American Football League
At the All American Football LeagueAll American Football League
The All American Football League was a proposed professional American football league. The league, which was to combine a professional pay structure with the requirement that all players be college graduates, had originally been scheduled to start in the spring of 2007, but later postponed its...
's national try-outs held on July 27, 2007, Ephraim along with fellow Alabama alumi's Reggie Myles, and Marcus Spencer signed with the league to play for Team Alabama. However, the league postponed their inaugural season until 2009.
See also
- List of Philadelphia Eagles players
- List of Miami Dolphins players
- List of Arena Football League and National Football League players
External links
- New York Dragons bio
- Cleveland Browns profile at Yahoo! SportsYahoo! SportsYahoo! Sports was launched on December 8, 1997. It receives a majority of its information from STATS, Inc., employs various writers, and has team pages for teams in almost every North American sport...