AUDL Reset: Jaime Joins Shred, Atlanta Core Returns, Houston's New Handler

February 14, 2023
By Adam Ruffner

Elijah Jaime and Jordan Kerr headline Salt Lake signings

After holding closed tryouts this past weekend, the Salt Lake Shred have started to finalize their roster with a series of announcements, including 2022 MVP runner-up Jordan Kerr coming back for his second season with the Shred, and former Atlanta standout Elijah Jaime joining Salt Lake for 2023.

The Shred were already the number one scoring team in the league last season, and the addition of Jaime—along with a full season of teenage phenom Will Selfridge who played just three games in his rookie season—could make Salt Lake even more dangerous this year.

Jaime led the Hustle in goals in each of the past three seasons, averaging nearly four goals per game. He also rarely turned the disc, posting a 7-to-1 goal to turnover ratio in 35 starts with Atlanta. Entering his fifth season now, Jaime has one of the best motors in the league, and can function equally well as a primary WR1 in isolation, or as a fill cutter operating within the flow of the offense.

Jaime and Kerr figure to be extremely effective in the red zone. The quick-trigger lefty throws of Kerr are kryptonite for defenses in tight quarters, and Jaime is more than capable at beating his defender to the front pylon for contested scores.

The combined speed of Jaime and Selfridge will provide great leverage for the Shred offense to pressure defenses in the open field, and over the top. Five different Salt Lake throwers finished with 10 or more huck completions last season, and that number could easily go up in Year Two out in Utah.

Atlanta Returns Majority of Roster For 2023

Over the last week, the Atlanta Hustle have announced the return of 15 players from last year’s roster that finished 8-4. Despite an extremely talented roster on paper, Atlanta’s season was marred by injuries and lineup inconsistencies as just four Hustle players played in all 12 games last season, and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The Hustle selected their 2023 captains two weeks ago. With veterans in leadership positions, the team is looking to solidify its rotations after bringing in a wave of new talent before the 2022 season.

Houston Signs Handler Jimmy Zuraw

Even in limited playing time for Dallas last season, Jimmy Zuraw stood out for his high volume throwing abilities. The 30-year-old averaged 35 completions and 262 throwing yards per game in 2022, and had three games with four assists in just five starts. Now the Houston Havoc have a potential center handler for their offense heading into their first game as a franchise.

Toronto Adds World Games Scorer Ty Barbieri

This past summer Ty Barbieri was a primary scoring option on Team Canada at the 2022 World Games. Now the Toronto Rush add him as another feature piece in an already impressive offseason haul that includes Mike Mackenzie.

In his lone professional season back in 2017, Barbieri scored a team-high 35 goals for Vancouver, including nine different multi-goal performances. Six years on, Barbieri has evolved into an even more potent playmaker.

Full list of announced signings for 2023 season

Atlanta
Hayden Austin-Knab
Justin Burnett
JP Burns
Trip Crowley
Karl Ekwurtzel
Michael Fairley
Christian Gaeta
Brett Hulsmeyer
Matthew Knowles
Jeremy Langdon
Bobby Ley
Christian Olsen
Dean Ramsey
Tyler Randall
Bradley Seuntjens
Matt Smith
Trenton Spinks
Austin Taylor
Kennith Taylor
Max Thorne