October 21, 2005
EAST STROUDSBURG - Former East Stroudsburg University football standout Jim Sodano has been signed by the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
Sodano played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of af2 for the past two seasons before earning a promotion.
Last season, Sodano competed in all 16 regular season games as an offensive and defensive lineman. He had 25 tackles (17 unassisted), four tackles for a loss, two sacks, two pass break ups, 10 quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks. The highlight of the 2005 season came when Sodano wrestled the ball from Macon's fullback and ran it back for a 43-yard touchdown giving the Pioneers a 43-42 win. For his efforts last season, Sodano was named to the American Conference All-af2 First team.
In 2004, Sodano competed in 14 games recording 14.5 tackles (11 unassisted), 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery. He was part of the 2004 Conference Champion Pioneers.
Sodano had a stellar career at ESU from 1998-01, and is regarded as one of the top linemen in the school's history. He was selected multiple times to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division first team. In addition, Sodano was also chosen as ECAC All-South Region second team. He is from Madison, N.J.
Sodano will join ESU grad Kevin Nagle, a fullback/linebacker for Orlando. Last year, the Predators finished 9-7. They are coached by Jay Gruden, the brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden.
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