Fort Lewis College added another cog in what it hopes will be a defensive machine come the fall, and the Skyhawks brought what they hope will be a dynamic player into the fold the offensive side of the ball.
Sacramento City College defensive back Russell Robards will join the Skyhawks as a junior-college transfer for the 2013 season, as will Ellsworth Community college quarterback Jordan Doyle.
Robards, a former captain and honor-roll student, compiled 59 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and an interception in 10 starts for the Panthers last season, earning California Community College Athletic Association all-conference honors in the process.
The 5-10, 210 pound defensive back will have two years of eligibility left for the Skyhawks.
Robards was a three-sport athlete at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif., playing football and baseball and running track. In his senior season, Robards ran for 777 yards and seven touchdowns on offense while racking up 66 tackles as a linebacker for the Herd, earning all-conference honors in the process.
Doyle was an all-conference selection last year after throwing for 2,161 yards and 19 touchdowns at Ellsworth Community College. He also ran for 429 yards and six touchdowns, and he’ll have three years of eligibility remaining for Fort Lewis.
As a senior at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Doyle threw for 1,194 yards and 16 touchdowns and committed to Iowa State before transferring to Ellsworth.
The Skyhawks will try to make a turnaround this fall after last year’s 0-10 campaign behind new head coach John L. Smith. FLC will open the 2013 season at Southern Utah on Sept. 7.
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