The Arizona Rattlers sign Rookie WR Victor Wharton III and 2nd year OL Matt Burrell
(Phoenix, AZ) The Arizona Rattlers have signed two more players for their 2022 roster, as wide receiver Victor Wharton III, and offensive lineman Matt Burrell are joining the team for the upcoming season.
WR Victor Wharton III (5’11, 190, University of California) will join the Rattlers for his IFL rookie season in 2022. Wharton played for the Saarland Hurricanes of the German Football League in 2021, and helped his team to an 8-2 record and the German Bowl semi-finals.
A shifty playmaker with good hands, Wharton played three years with Cal (2016-2018) and compiled 145 receptions (for 1,666 yards), which slotted as eighth-best in Golden Bears program history. Wharton demonstrated his versatility during his time with Cal by returning 34 punts for 221 yards, rushing for 10 yards, and even throwing a 15-yard touchdown (in 2017). Named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List as a junior, Wharton caught 67 passes for 871 yards and 5 touchdowns that season.
Prior to his three years with Cal, Wharton played his freshman season for the University of Tennessee, where he started two games and caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. A native of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Wharton attended Independence High School in Thompson’s Station (TN) and was a four-star recruit according to ESPN and Rivals. He was chosen to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl following his senior year and was a First Team All-Midstate Class 6A All-State selection.
OL Matt Burrell (6’4, 305, Ohio State University) will be joining the Rattlers for his first season with team, and second in the IFL. Burrell spent the 2021 season with the Tucson Sugar Skulls, starting at center in seven games. When Burrell was active, the Sugar Skulls offense averaged 190.3 yards per game during his seven starts.
After redshirting his freshman year at Ohio State, Burrell spent two years playing center and guard for the Buckeyes (2016-2017), playing in 25 games and protecting eventual Heisman Trophy winner and 2020 NFL No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow. Upon transferring to Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas, Burrell played all over the offensive line for the Bearkats for two seasons (2018-2019).
A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Burrell attended Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg (VA) for his first two seasons, before transferring to Hylton High School in Woodbridge for his junior and senior seasons. A Virginia all-state offensive lineman, Burrell was considered a four-star recruit and a Top 10 offensive line prospect, as well as a Top 100 player nationally overall as a member of the ESPN 300 (No. 94).
Press Release courtesy of the Arizona Rattlers – James Tanner
