Predators look to ex-uf QB Leak as ‘face of franchise’
Chris Leakmovedto Central Florida four years ago, but the self-professed football fanatic can’t remember attending an Orlando Predators game.
He’ll see one up close Saturday night.
Leak, a former UF quarterback who led the Gators to the 2006 national championship, signed with the Predators on Monday. He could be the starting quarterback Saturday when the Preds (1-5) host the Philadelphia Soul (5-1).
“We would like to bring him in as the face of the franchise, and I hope he ends up as our starting quarterback,” Orlando managing partner Brett Bouchy said.
Bouchy said Leak’s first practice with the team will be today.
“I’m just very excited about the opportunity to play at home,” Leak said. “Orlando is my home, and being here with my family, this is a tremendous opportunity to play in front of the great fans that the Predators have.”
Leak, who lives in Apopka, threw for five touchdowns
in the season opener for Jacksonville, but he left the team after Omar Jacobs replaced him as the starting quarterback.
“It was an unfortunate situation in Jacksonville, but I’ve moved on,” Leak said.
Bouchy hopes Leak can ignite a Preds offense that ranks 16th out of 17 teams in the Arena Football League in scoring (35.7 points per game) and yards (239) per game.
The Preds are two games behind American Conference South Division co-leaders Georgia, New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
““We think if we can get a good quarterback out there, we’ve got a good chance to make the playoffs,” Bouchy said.
Bouchy said the Preds were interested in Leak, who will turn 27 next week, for a while before signing him.
“It’s something that we’ve been talking to Chris about for the past year,” Bouchy said. “Any time you have a chance to add a quarterback who’s in the prime of his career, won a national title at the highest level and played in the SEC, you’re going to be excited.”
Leak would be the third starting quarterback for the Preds this season. Collin Drafts started the first four games before being released last week. Rookie Justin Roper started the past two games, including Friday’s 27-24 victory against the Georgia Force.
“I’m looking forward to getting out on the field and contributing in whatever way I can,” Leak said.
Leak is UF’S all-time leading passer with more than 11,000 yards and is second on the school’s all-time list with 88 passing touchdowns. He was the offensive MVP of the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, a 41-14 victory against Ohio State.
The Chicago Bears signed Leak as an undrafted free agent in 2007, but he was cut without playing in a regular-season game. He spent three seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing with defending AFL champ Jacksonville in September.
“God has given me some great tests that have turned into great experiences,” Leak said. “I’ve still got a long journey in front of me.”
Said Bouchy: “We think he’s got a chance to be a great quarterback for the Predators.” Who: Orlando Predators quarterback Born: May 3, 1985 Age: 26 College: Florida High school: Charlotte, N.C., Independence The Buzz: Led the Gators to victory against Ohio State in the 2007 BCS national championship game. . . . Signed with the Chicago Bears after the ’07 NFL draft but was released later that year. . . . Spent time in the Canadian Football League, where he was on the Montreal Alouettes squad that won the 2009 Grey Cup.